NUTRIENTS INTAKE EVALUATION IN COMMUNITY-DWELLING ADULT PATIENTS REQUIRING NUTRITIONAL ASSESSMENT.

Abstract

In recent years, there has been growing interest in nutritional aspects of community patients, particularly the elderly [1]. The purpose of the study is to analyze nutrients intake in community-dwelling adult patients requiring nutritional assessment and correlations with clinical conditions. Data has been collected from 141 adult patients (M=64; F=77) registered in 2019 (1st October-31st December) at Home Artificial Nutrition (HAN) Department of Local Health Care Unit Naples 3, Italy. 24-Hour Recall Questionnaire was administered for investigating food intake. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis. Mean age was 78 years, 89.4% were elderly (65+years) and 31.9% were aged over 85 years. The underlying disease was neurological in 56% and cancer in 29.8% of patients; 44 patients (31.2%) were bedridden with pressure sores and 76 (53.9%) referred unintentional weight loss. Patients reported dysphagia in 67.4% and loss of appetite in 43.3%. Mean energy intake was 867±328 kcal/day and proteins were 34.2±16.3 g/day. A statistically significant difference in mean energy and protein intakes was observed for older patients (85+years) (p=0.02; p=0.001), those with pressure sores (p=0.004; p=0.009) and those who reported loss of appetite (p=0.001; p=0.01). Mean fiber intake was very low in all patients (8.9±5.2 g/day). Inadequate nutrients intake is frequent in dwelling-community adult patients, particularly in the elderly. Timing of nutritional assessment and appropriate intervention could reduce chronic disease risk.