More than 35% of the over 70 who are hospitalized Spanish show symptoms of malnutrition

– the European Union of Geriatric Medicine and Abbott join forces to present the TNT (Total Nutrition Therapy)a new global strategy which aims to improve the nutrition of the geriatricians training.

-The cost of patients hospitalized with malnutrition is 50% higher.

Madrid, September of 2011. Malnutrition is a common, but not health problem as sufficiently recognized, that takes place in communities and health environments around the world. According to the study of PREDyCES ® (prevalence of hospital malnutrition and associated costs in Spain) of the Spanish society of Parenteral Nutrition and Enteral, one of every four patients hospitalised in Spain suffers from malnutrition. Malnutrition is defined as a pathological condition in which reservations of macro and micronutrients from the body are reduced. This state occurs as a result of the loss of nutrients associated with food problems, disorders of digestion or metabolism changes associated with infections. Experts say that malnutrition delayed the restoration of the patient in clinical practice and causes loss of muscle mass and weakening. This loss of muscle mass associated with the age, known as sarcopenia, occurs at a rate of 8% from the age of 40 and 15% per decade since the 1970s.

Advanced age is one of the main factors of risk of malnutrition. Likewise, the PREDyCES study reveals that 37% of Spaniards older than 70 years who are hospitalized showed symptoms of malnutrition. According to the same study, the cost of this type of patient is 50% higher.

Many dietary and psychological changes occur during the natural process of ageing ” says the geriatrics and new President of the geriatric medical society of the EU, Dr. Alfonso Cruz Jentoft. addition, as people age, the body needs more protein, vitamin C, calcium and other important nutrients for a good general State of health. Cruz-Jentoft notes that older people tend to eat less to age – in particular meat and other foods rich in protein, high – quality and his body processes many nutrients less effectively. As a result many adults of age are malnourished.

However, and despite its prevalence and the negative impact on the patient, malnutrition is an insufficiently recognized status. The main problem is the lack of training of professional medical ”, says Dr. Refaat Hegazi, Director Médico de Abbott nutrition. as doctor, remember having had only two hours of training in nutrition during the race. That is not enough. ”

TNT of geriatric medicine program gets underway in Spain

with the aim of contributing to the formation of the doctor about malnutrition in older people, Abbott joined the geriatric medical European Union society (EUMGS)to develop the program of medicine geriatric Total Nutrition Therapy (TNT-GM), an innovative training course for physicians aimed to develop their knowledge in nutrition in clinical practice.

Maintain good nutritional status is essential for healthy ageing, ” says Professor Jean-Pierre Michel, President of the EUGMS and co-director of the TNT-GM. that the reason why we launch the program of medicine geriatric TNT in Spain. On 27 October exhibit at the first group of international specialists from around the world so that they can incorporate clinical nutrition in its practical medical therapy ”

El TNT-GM will be the official program of the EUGMS nutrition education. The educational model of TNT is based on the Advanced Trauma Life Support Course (ATLS) of the American College of surgeons, and unites theory and practice through cases and workshops.

About Abbott Nutrition

Abbott develops and markets for more than 85 years nutritional products science-based and oriented to growth, health and well-being of people of all ages. Internationally recognized brands include Similac ®, milk of made by children; PediaSure ®, complete and balanced nutrition for children; and Ensure ®, complete and balanced nutrition for adults.

The company is leader in clinically tested nutritional products to cover the various dietary needs of people with critical illness or special needs for nutrition, as it is the case of Glucerna ®, brand of shakes for people with diabetes; Prosure ® for cancer patient with unintentional weight loss; and Nepro ® for people with chronic renal failure.

About Abbott

Abbott is a biomedical company dedicated to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceutical and medical products, including nutritional products and medical devices and Diagnostics. The company employs about 90,000 people worldwide and sells its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott is certified as the best company to work in the health sector and the second in the overall ranking of sectors as Best Workplaces Spain 2010. Abbott has over 1,500 employees and 61 years of history in our country. The company’s activity is oriented to meet the needs of patients with chronic diseases and high clinical, economic, social and emotional impact. Abbott has a presence in all areas of the Spanish healthcare industry (including r & d and manufacturing at its centres in Madrid, Granada and Alcobendas). Its products cover all phases of the process of the disease (prevention, diagnosis, treatment and healing) and are present at every moment of the life cycle: infant, childhood, adolescence, maturity and old age.