Dénutrition et COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a condition associated with a high risk of malnutrition. The prevalence of malnutrition in people hospitalised with COVID-19 is 40%, and up to 70% in intensive care units. The mechanisms explaining malnutrition are multiple, associating a drop in ingesta, an increase in energy losses and in energy requirements. Undernutrition is associated with the severity of COVID-19. Screening and management of undernutrition is therefore a priority. Screening for undernutrition is based on the French National Authority for Health (HAS) criteria, combining a phenotypic criterion (weight loss, low body mass index, loss of muscle mass and/or strength), and an etiological criterion (always present in COVID-19). Management follows the May 2020 recommendations of the French-speaking Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (SFNCM), based on a diet adapted to the nutritional status (enrichment, oral nutritional supplements, artificial nutrition), prevention of the syndrome of inappropriate renutrition, and physiotherapy for muscle strengthening. Nutritional management should also be continued after the acute phase of COVID-19 to prevent and treat sarcopenia.