Continuity of care in disease-related malnutrition and nutritional medical treatment

Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) continues to be a very significant healthcare problem, both in our hospitals and in the community. It is often not properly diagnosed or treated, despite a growing body of evidence highlighting its clinical and economic consequences. The transition between clinical care in the hospital and community services (Primary Care (PC) and Nursing Homes) is a key element in the prevention, detection and treatment of DRM. In October 2020, the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN) and the main societies of PC physicians in our country (SEMERGEN, SEMFYC and SEMG) met for the first time within the virtual NutriSEEN forum. From that moment on, a joint working group was created for this issue. This document tries to establish joint lines of work between the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetic Units (UNCyD) and the Primary Care teams to improve the detection and treatment of DRM. The clinical consequences and costs associated with DRE, nutritional risk screening, assessment and medical nutritional treatment are considered in a coordinated way between the PC teams and the UNCyD, as well as future proposals to improve the management of DRM. (c) 2021 SEEN y SED. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) is a significant healthcare problem that is often overlooked. The Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN) and the main societies of Primary Care physicians have formed a joint working group to improve the detection and treatment of DRM.