Preprint · Jan 2026
Nutritional profile of older adults after stroke in the acute phase: a scoping review
By Hermes ES, Lopes RADF, Carvalho TD et al.
This project consists of a scoping review that aims to investigate and map the nutritional status profile of elderly individuals (aged 60 years or older, of both sexes) in the acute phase following a stroke. Stroke is a condition of high clinical relevance that frequently leads to alterations in the nutritional status of elderly patients. The acute phase of the condition is characterized by an inflammatory response, hypercatabolism, and a high risk of nutritional deterioration. Considering that in-hospital malnutrition is associated with worse clinical outcomes, such as increased complications, prolonged length of hospital stay, and impaired functional recovery, early nutritional assessment becomes essential. The period of interest for this study ranges from hospital admission to the first weeks of hospitalization. The review will map the available evidence across the following electronic databases: MEDLINE/PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Virtual Health Library (VHL), Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SciELO, LILACS, and CINAHL. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), retrospective and prospective observational studies, cross-sectional studies, narrative reviews, and systematic reviews with meta-analysis will be included. The main outcomes and variables to be mapped include: the presence of malnutrition and sarcopenia; changes in body composition, encompassing variables such as phase angle and skeletal muscle mass index; the use and association of nutritional assessment tools (GNRI, CONUT, MNA-SF, NRS-2002, GLIM) alongside laboratory and anthropometric markers; functional outcomes (independence, walking ability, activities of daily living), as well as clinical and prognostic outcomes (modified Rankin Scale, mortality, length of hospital stay, and complications); the effects and strategies of nutritional interventions regarding the support and recovery of these patients. The comprehensive mapping of this evidence is fundamental to understanding the extent of the impact of nutritional status on the clinical course of elderly individuals following an acute stroke, providing support for appropriate management and interventions in clinical practice.