Nutritional Supplementation and Outcomes in Hospitalized Older Adults

Nutritional support may improve outcomes in acutely ill, hospitalized patients. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the American Journal of Medicine (2006;119(8):693–699) evaluated whether supplementation could influence recovery and longer-term health.

The study involved patients aged 65–92 who were hospitalized for acute illness. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either:

  • A liquid nutritional supplement in addition to the standard hospital diet, or

  • A placebo, for a total of six weeks.

Key Findings

  • Nutritional status improved significantly in the supplemented group during the intervention.

  • Over the six months following treatment, outcomes were notably better in the supplemented patients:

    • Hospital readmissions: 29% in the supplemented group vs. 40% in the placebo group

    • Mortality: 19 deaths in the supplemented group vs. 32 in the placebo group

    • Hospital stay length: shorter in the supplemented group

Conclusion

The data suggest that providing a nutrient-dense supplement—not just standard hospital food—can improve nutritional status and may also support better overall recovery, reduce readmissions, and lower mortality in older hospitalized adults.