Decreased food intake during hospital stays is an independent risk factor for hospital mortality

Oxford, UK, 21 May 2010 – New and universally applicable definitions of malnutrition are published in the current issue of Clinical Nutrition. These are the result of a major international collaboration that has been endorsed by ESPEN and the American nutrition society ASPEN. The importance of the work is emphasised by the unusual step that has been taken in arranging dual publication in Clinical Nutrition and the ASPEN journal JPEN. It is expected that these definitions will take precedence in much future work.

Prompted by the recognition that generally agreed definitions of malnutrition have been lacking, and the need to distinguish between uncomplicated starvation and disease-related malnutrition, a distinguished group of authors from around the world has provided a simple and yet inclusive set of aetiology-based proposals. The affected adult is assigned to one of three forms of malnutrition: starvation-related, chronic disease-related or acute disease/injury-related. The simplicity and anticipated prognostic significance of this approach is expected to lead to improved diagnosis and to the development of validated confirmatory tools, whether in the form of laboratory tests, anthropometric or functional measures.

The international working party included experts from all continents and reached its conclusions through a structured approach to consensus which was unanimously agreed and is independent of any commercial influence.

Clinical Nutrition, the official journal of ESPEN, The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, is an international journal providing essential scientific information on nutritional and metabolic care and the relationship between nutrition and disease both in the setting of basic science and clinical practice. Published bi-monthly, each issue combines original articles and reviews providing an invaluable reference for any specialist concerned with these fields.

Nutrition and nutritional care have gained wide clinical and scientific interest during the past decades. The increasing knowledge of metabolic disturbances and nutritional assessment in chronic and acute diseases has stimulated rapid advances in design, development and clinical application of nutritional support. The aims of ESPEN are to encourage the rapid diffusion of knowledge and its application in the field of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition or, more broadly, Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism.

Being the journal of ESPEN with members from various interests, either focused on basic research or clinical disciplines, the journal reflects the scientific nature of this multidisciplinary background and encourages the coordination of investigation and research from these disciplines. The journal publishes guidelines, consensus statements, original articles, short communications, letters to the Editor and review papers on those factors in acute and chronic diseases, which have metabolic and nutritional implications. It also publishes scientific works related to the development of new techniques and their application in the field of clinical nutrition.

ESPEN is dedicated to all issues relevant to the field of clinical nutrition and metabolism, and promotes:

• Basic and clinical research
• Basic and advanced education
• Organization of consensus statements about clinical care and care quality control

The aims of ESPEN are to encourage the rapid diffusion of knowledge and its application in the field of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition or, more broadly, Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. ESPEN sponsors a journal and for which it assumes editorial, as distinct from publishing, responsibility. It promotes experimental and clinical research, fosters high ethical standards of practice and investigation, and promotes contact between investigators and clinicians in related fields.

The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) is dedicated to improving patient care by advancing the science and practice of nutrition support therapy. Founded in 1976, ASPEN is an interdisciplinary organization whose members are involved in the provision of clinical nutrition therapies, including parenteral and enteral nutrition. With more than 5,500 members from around the world, ASPEN is a community of dietitians, nurses, pharmacists, physicians, scientists, students and other health professionals from every facet of nutrition support clinical practice, research and education.

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