Malnutrition and Disease Outcomes.

Malnutrition is a significant global problem in health care. There are strong associations between malnutrition and increased morbidity and mortality and elevated health care costs. This chapter discusses malnutrition and outcomes in geriatrics, renal disease, respiratory disease, transplantation, and in the perioperative setting. Although there is substantial evidence documenting the benefits of medical nutrition therapy, more studies are needed to better quantify these benefits in not only hospitalized patients but in all who have a chronic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]