Assessment of Relationship with mNUTRIC Score and Clinical outcome of Critically ill patients in a selected Hospital, New Delhi

Nutritional risk is a key determinant of outcomes in critically ill patients, with malnutrition contributing to increased morbidity, mortality, and ICU stay. Traditional tools are often impractical in ICU settings. The modified NUTRIC (mNUTRIC) score provides a validated approach for assessing nutritional risk and guiding timely interventions.

To assess the association between mNUTRIC scores and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients admitted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) of Holy Family Hospital, New Delhi.

A prospective correlational study was conducted on 100 adult CCU patients admitted for over 72 hours. Data on demographic and clinical variables, mNUTRIC scores, and outcomes—duration of mechanical ventilation, vasopressor use, renal replacement therapy (RRT), CCU/hospital stay, and 30-day mortality—were analyzed using correlation, t-tests, and chi-square tests.

Higher mNUTRIC scores were significantly associated with prolonged mechanical ventilation, increased vasopressor use, and extended CCU stay (p<0.05). No significant association was observed with RRT or total hospital stay. Thirty-day mortality was markedly higher in high-score patients (23.9%) versus none in the low-score group (p=0.002). Non-survivors had significantly higher mNUTRIC scores (8.19±0.54) than survivors (5.06±1.56) (p<0.001). Factors like advanced age, enteral feeding, recent weight loss, reduced intake, higher APACHE II/SOFA scores, and shock were associated with elevated nutritional risk.

The mNUTRIC score is an effective tool for early identification of nutritional risk and mortality in critically ill patients, supporting timely nutritional intervention to improve outcomes.