The Nutritional Status of Long-Term Institutionalized Older Adults Is Associated with Functional Status, Physical Performance and Activity, and Frailty.

Itxaso Mugica-Errazquin,Maider Kortajarena,Ana Rodriguez-Larrad,Nagore Arizaga,Idoia Zarrazquin,Jon Irazusta,Javier Gil-Goikouria,Beatriz Matilla-Alejos,Jesús Seco-Calvo,Janire Virgala

doi:10.3390/nu13113716

Itxaso Mugica-Errazquin, Maider Kortajarena + Show 8 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13113716

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Abstract

Among older adults living in long-term nursing homes (LTNHs), maintaining an adequate functional status and independence is a challenge. Whilst a poor nutritional status is a potential risk factor for a decreased function in this population, its role is not fully understood. Here, using a transversal multicenter study of 105 older adults living in 13 LTNHs, we analyzed the associations between nutritional status, as measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and the parameters of functional status, physical performance, physical activity, and frailty as well as comorbidity and body composition. The MNA scores were positively correlated with the Barthel Index, handgrip strength, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores, absolute muscle power, and Assessment of Physical Activity in Frail Older People (APAFOP) scores and were negatively correlated with dynamic balance and frailty. In a multiple linear regression model controlling for gender and age, the APAFOP score (β = 0.386), BMI (β = 0.301), and Barthel Index (β = 0.220) explained 31% of the variance in the MNA score. Given the observed close relationship between the MNA score and functional status, physical performance and activity, and frailty, interventions should jointly target improvements in both the nutritional status and functional status of LTNH residents. Strategies designed and implemented by interdisciplinary professional teams may be the most successful in improving these parameters to lead to better health and quality of life.

Highlights

Given the aging of the global population, maintaining an adequate functional status and independence among older adults is a fundamental challenge
Our results showed that a better nutritional status, as indicated by the higher Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scores, was associated with greater functionality, physical performance, and physical activity as well as with lower frailty
Questionnaire), functional status, and body mass index (BMI) collectively predicted the MNA. This is the first study to find a relationship between the nutritional status and physical activity levels of long-term nursing homes (LTNHs) residents without a cognitive impairment

Summary

Introduction

Given the aging of the global population, maintaining an adequate functional status and independence among older adults is a fundamental challenge. In older adults living in LTNHs, major risk factors include mobility limitations and a higher age; in community-dwelling older adults, such factors include a poor appetite, difficulties with eating, and respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases [5] Several risk factors such as a lack of the ability to eat independently, being bedridden, pressure ulcers related to immobility, hip fractures, and even depressive conditions can be countered or prevented by physical activity [6,7,8,9,10,11,12]. Older individuals living in LTNHs generally have a sedentary lifestyle with very few minutes per day of physical activity performed mainly at a low intensity This inactivity both leads to a loss of the musculoskeletal function and reduces opportunities to engage in experiences that improve the quality of life [15]

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