Evaluations of nutritional status according to mini nutritional assessment in elder home-care patients

Abstract

Objective To assess the risk of malnutrition in elder home-care patients through mini nutritional assessment (MNA) and study the correlations between total MNA score and 18 individual questions in this patient group.Methods In May 2011,62 elder home-care patients from our center answered the MNA questionnaire.And the results were used to analyze the correlations between total MNA score and individual questions and the correlations among MNA classifications and body mass index(BMI),mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and calf circunference (CC).Results According to MNA,18％ were malnourished ( 11/62 ),47％ at risk of malnutrition ( 29/62 ) and 35％ well-nourished ( 22/62 ) ; BMI,independence,mobility,neuropsychological problems,ingesting method,MAMC,CC and selfperceived nutritional status,self-perceived health status showed strong correlations with total MNA score (0.601,0.600,0.666,0.611,0.627,0.618,0.726,0.612,0.672,P ＜0.05).And weight loss within a month,number of daily meals and intake of drinks showed weak correlations with total MNA score (0.35,0.319,0.288,P ＜ 0.05 ).Positive correlations existed among MNA classifications and BMI,MAMC,CC (15.45,19.85,31.89,P＜0.05).Conclusions The elder home-care patients have a high risk for malnutrition.Half of 18 individual questions are strongly correlated with total MNA score in this patient group. Key words: Nutrition assessment; Home care services ; Questionnaires; Cross-sectional studies