Comprehensive literature has documented strong links between malnutrition in conjunction with illness and increased ill health, mortality and extended periods of care. Illness triggers the breaking down of body tissue, so it is not certain that nutritional treatment can correct illness-related malnutrition. This report presents an assessment of current literature primarily from the point of view of the effects of nutritional treatment on ill health and mortality in the case of malnutrition in conjunction with various states of illness. In many cases the knowledge base is incomplete, partly due to difficulties in carrying out reliable clinical studies. Uncertainty in interpreting studies should not be taken as justification for not providing the sick patient with nutrition.
Nutrition forms part of medical treatment but also of care.
Active initiatives in these areas have a major impact on preventing the development of malnutrition and when treating already undernourished patients. Based on an assessment of the patient's nutritional problems and needs, individually tailored care measures are planned with the patient, relatives and the doctor, nurse and dietician. Good treatment and care require routine documentation of the patient's care problems, measures taken and the effects of those measures as well as the transfer of information between various forms of care. It is crucial that nutritional treatment is always carried out on the basis of an ethical approach. The doctor responsible for care must ultimately decide what measures are to be taken.