Ruiz AJ, et al. - In this multicenter prospective observational cohort study, researchers explored the link between clinical and economic outcomes and malnutrition in hospitalized patients, especially those with cardiac and pulmonary conditions. Eight hundred patients hospitalized at four Colombian hospitals with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure, acute myocardial infarction, community-acquired pneumonia, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were included in this investigation. In this study of hospital inpatients, the outcomes showed a high burden of malnutrition at the time of hospital admission, which negatively impacted the length of stay (LOS) and mortality and increased the costs of hospitalization. This investigation emphasized the need for improved diagnosis and treatment of hospital malnutrition to improve patient outcomes and decrease healthcare costs.