Ageing population contributing to rise of malnutrition cases, study finds

Patients with malnutrition typically cost three times as much to care for each year given they are more likely to be hospitalised and have a length of stay 30% longer than the average. File picture: iStock

Malnutrition cases in Ireland have increased dramatically as a direct result of the country’s ageing population, according to a new study.

A new study by the Irish Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (Irspen) has noted a 59% increase in the number of patients of all ages with or at significant risk of malnutrition.