Low plasma total cholesterol concentration: May be related to malnourished hospitalized patients

Objective: To investigate low plasma total cholesterol concentration in hospitalized patients, which is associated with malnourishment Methods: A total of 358 inpatients who were treated in our hospital from January 1 to February 1, 2009, were enrolled. The relationships between low plasma total cholesterol (TC) level and other parameters were analyzed. Results: Irrespective of women or men, the morbidities of low plasma TC, low plasma albumin, low plasma total proteins, low plasma triglyceride (TG) and low hemoglobin (Hb) levels were highly consistent with the result of subjective global assessment (SGA) (P < 0.05). Plasma TC concentration was positively correlated with albumin, TG, Hb, lymph cells number, and body mass index (P < 0.05). TC levels were different between men and women (P < 0.0001). Meanwhile, low plasma TC level was not correlated with age, but it was correlated with total parenteral nutrition. Conclusion: Low plasma TC concentration may relate to malnourished hospitalized patients.