Nutritional Therapy for Stroke Patients

Prospective, short-term studies in patients admitted for acute stroke have shown an increased risk of infections, bedsores, impaired functional outcome, slower rate of recovery, poorer rehabilitation potential and higher mortality in patients with a poor nutritional status. In hospitals without routine nutritional assessment and individual nutrition management plans, the risk of patients developing malnutrition may be increased. In this study, patients admitted for acute stroke are randomised into either receiving nutritional therapy derived from estimated individual nutritional intake and nutritional needs, or nutritional therapy based on routine care without routine assessment of nutritional status, intake, or needs. The primary outcome measure is the percentage of patients with weight loss ≥ 5 % at three month follow-up.