2.3. Study intervention

Details of the nutritional intervention, which was in line with current ESPEN guidelines for polymorbid patients [²²], have been published previously [^16,17,23]. In brief, patients, randomized to the intervention group, received individual nutritional support supervised by a registered dietician. To predict energy goals, the weight-adjusted Harris–Benedict equation was used. A daily protein intake of 1.2–1.5 g/kg body weight was recommended for the general population with lower targets for those with an acute renal failure (0.8 g per kg of body weight). Throughout the hospital stay, the achievement of the individual nutritional plan was reassessed every 24–48 h. If at least 75% of the energy and protein goals could not be reached within 5 days by oral feeding, an escalation of the nutritional support to enteral or even parenteral feeding was made. When discharged, dietary counselling was offered in combination with a prescription for an oral nutritional supplements as needed. Patients in the control group received standard hospital food according to their ability and desire to eat, with no nutritional consultation and no recommendation for additional nutritional support.