A controlled trial of sip-feed supplements in elderly orthopaedic patients
Williams, C.M.; Driver, L.T.; Older, J.; Dickerson, J.W.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 43(4): 267-274
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0954-3007 PMID: 2737169 Document Number: 345516
The potential nutritional and clinical benefits of sip-feed supplements were investigated by means of a controlled trial in elderly female patients admitted for orthopaedic surgery. A nutritional risk assessment procedure (Nutritional Risk Questionnaire) was used to identify patients who might benefit from supplementation. Patients identified as at high risk who did not receive supplements showed significant losses in triceps skin-fold thickness and mid-upper arm muscle circumference (MUAMC) measurements while in hospital. Such changes were not observed in high-risk feed-supplemented patients, but significant losses of MUAMC were also recorded in a group of patients who failed to comply with the supplement. There were no differences in biochemical variables, muscle function or clinical outcome between feed-supplemented and unsupplemented and non-compliant patients. The problems of poor compliance to sip-feed supplements and failure to observe clinical benefit in feed-supplemented patients are discussed.