Nutritional problems of patients with COVID‐19 receiving dietetic treatment in primary care

BACKGROUND: The nutritional problems of patients who are hospitalised for COVID‐19 are becoming increasingly clear. However, a large group of patients have never been hospitalised and also appear to experience persistent nutritional problems. The present study describes the nutritional status, risk of sarcopaenia and nutrition‐related complaints of patients recovering from COVID‐19 receiving dietetic treatment in primary care. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, data were collected during dietetic treatment by a primary care dietitian between April and December 2020. Both patients who had and had not been admitted to the hospital were included at their first visit to a primary care dietitian. Data on nutritional status, risk of sarcopaenia and nutrition‐related complaints were collected longitudinally. RESULTS: Data from 246 patients with COVID‐19 were collected. Mean ± SD age was 57 ± 16 years and 61% of the patient population was female. At first consultation, two thirds of patients were classified as overweight or obese (body mass index >25 kg m(–2)). The majority had experienced unintentional weight loss because of COVID‐19. Additionally, 55% of hospitalised and 34% of non‐hospitalised patients had a high risk of sarcopaenia. Most commonly reported nutrition‐related complaints were decreased appetite, shortness of breath, changed or loss of taste and feeling of being full. Nutrition‐related complaints decreased after the first consultation, but remained present over time. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, weight changes, risk of sarcopaenia and nutrition‐related complaints were prevalent in patients with COVID‐19, treated by a primary care dietitian. Nutrition‐related complaints improved over time, but remained prevalent until several months after infection.