Background: Prevalence studies on hospital malnutrition are still scarce in the Middle East region despite recent global recognition of clinical malnutrition as a healthcare priority. The aim of this study is to measure the prevalence of malnutrition in adult hospitalized patients in Lebanon using the newly developed Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition tool (GLIM), and explore the association between malnutrition and the length of hospital stay (LOS) as a clinical outcome.

Methods: A representative cross-sectional sample of hospitalized patients was selected from a random sample of hospitals in the five districts in Lebanon. Malnutrition was screened and assessed using the Nutrition Risk Screening tool (NRS-2002) and GLIM criteria. Mid-upper arm muscle circumference (MUAC) and handgrip strength were used to measure and assess muscle mass. Length of stay was recorded upon discharge.

Results: A total of 343 adult patients were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of malnutrition risk according to NRS-2002 was 31.2%, and the prevalence of malnutrition according to the GLIM criteria was 35.6%. The most frequent malnutrition-associated criteria were weight loss and low food intake. Malnourished patients had a significantly longer LOS compared to patients with adequate nutritional status (11 days versus 4 days). Handgrip strength and MUAC measurements were negatively correlated with the length of hospital stay.

Conclusion and recommendations: the study documented the valid and practical use of GLIM for assessing the prevalence and magnitude of malnutrition in hospitalized patients in Lebanon, and highlighted the need for evidence-based interventions to address the underlying causes of malnutrition in Lebanese hospitals.