Abstract
This study aimed to assess the effect of levodopa on the nutritional status of older adults with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and associated factors. This cross-sectional, analytical, descriptive, observational study collected sociodemographic, clinical, and levodopa daily dose data and conducted nutritional assessment with the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and adductor pollicis muscle thickness (APMT). The chi-square test was used to compare proportions and independence, considering p<0.05. The study sample comprised 40 older adults with PD, with a mean age of 69.4±7.6 years; 70% were males. MNA verified a prevalence of malnutrition among those with more than 10 years with the disease, in an advanced stage, and whose levodopa equivalent daily dose was above 600 mg. It was verified that having chronic comorbidities may significantly increase the risk of malnutrition according to the APMT classification. Hence, it is greatly important to assess the nutritional status in the follow-up of older adults with PD to diagnose malnutrition early and ensure assertive and multidisciplinary intervention.
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