Mini Nutritional Assessment Tool Research Articles

Assessment of factors predicting the nutritional status of geriatric people in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT Background: On a global level, geriatric malnutrition is a substantial problem as it has many adverse health outcomes including increased morbidity and death rates, in addition to poor health-related quality of life. This study aims to assess the nutritional status of patients attending geriatric clinics at hospitals. Material and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was conducted in Tabuk city, northern Saudi Arabia, among geriatric patients aged over 60 years who attended geriatric clinics throughout the study period (December, 2022 to February, 2023). A validated self-administered questionnaire was used in data collection. It includes demographic, habitual, and medical characteristics of the participants, anthropometric data (weight and height), and the validated short form of Mini Nutritional Assessment tool to assess their nutritional status. Results: The study included 307 geriatric patients out of targeted 362 (response rate = 84.8%). The age of almost half of them (49.2%) ranged between 60 and 69 years, and males constituted 56.4% of them. Overall, 17.3% of the participants were malnourished, whereas 41.4% were at risk of malnutrition. Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that compared to married participants, widowed participants were at higher significant risk for malnutrition [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–6.85, P = 0.049]. Compared with participants who were living alone, those living with their spouse were at 86% lower risk for malnutrition (aOR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.03–0.62, P = 0.010). Overweight and obese subjects were at significant lower risk for malnutrition as compared to underweight subjects (aOR: 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01–0.44, P = 0.008 and aOR: 0.05, 95% CI: 0.01–0.54, P = 0.013, respectively). Participants who never practiced exercise or practiced it irregularly were at higher risk for malnutrition as opposed to those who practice physical activity regularly (aOR: 3.45, 95% CI: 1.42–8.38, P = 0.006 and aOR: 3.60, 95% CI: 1.48–8.77, P = 0.005, respectively). Patients with more than three chronic disease/heath problems were at 4-fold risk for developing malnutrition as compared to those without history of chronic diseases/health problems (aOR: 4.0, 95% CI: 1.31–12.17, P = 0.015). Conclusion: Malnutrition is a public health problem affecting a considerable proportion of geriatric people in Tabuk, southern Saudi Arabia, with some modifiable risk factors associated with malnutrition.

A Community-based Cross Sectional Study on Nutritional status among Elderly in Rural Telangana

Introduction: The world is experiencing increase in geriatric population due to increase in life expectancies at global level. The complex issues leading to nutritional risk and malnutrition are inadequate food intake, social, economic, psychological and pathological factors. Objective: To assess the nutrition status of the elderly and to determine the factors associated with it. Method: A Cross-sectional study was done in the rural areas of Warangal, Telangana among 280 elderly people (≥ 60 years)using systematic random sampling. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire and the Mini Nutrition Assessment tool were used for data collection. Anthropometric measurements were also estimated. Data entry was done in MS Excel and analysed using SPSS 20.0. Chi-square and Correlation tests were applied. Results: Among the 280 elderly, malnutrition was seen in 13.2% of subjects, 51.4% were at risk of malnutrition and 35.4% were adequately nourished. Females, unemployment, smoking habits, presence of comorbidities, inadequate vegetable intake and lack of social support were significantly associated with malnutrition. A strong positive correlation (r= 0.4) was observed between nutrition score and weight, waist circumference, and calf circumference. The difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Most of the elderly (51.4%) were at risk of malnutrition thus emphasizing the need for effective nutritional interventions.

Malnutrition and Cognitive Impairment Assessment of Elderly Tribal People of Bankura District, West Bengal by using MNA and MMSE Questionnaire

Background: Mental problems and malnutrition are more common as people age. Both cognitive status and malnutrition are significantly influenced by sociodemographic factors. Because they lack many opportunities, tribal elders are the most vulnerable group in any type of healthcare facility.Method: A cross-sectional community study has been carried out in Bankura District, West Bengal. A total of 400 elderly tribal individuals were identified from four blocks using the stratified random sample procedure. The nutritional state and cognitive function of the elderly were measured using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool and the Mini Mental State Examination method (MMSE). Data has been uploaded into Microsoft Excel 2010 and analysed with SPSS version 20.Results: The results of MNA revealed that 26% and 49% of the elderly subjects were malnourished and at risk malnourished respectively. Sociodemographic factors like age related degeneration, low income, low education, nuclear family and socio-economic class are significantly responsible for malnutrition. It is also found that large malnourished are severe cognitive impairment.Conclusions: Malnutrition and cognitive impairment occurred frequently among the elderly tribal people in the study area. Malnutrition must be identified without delay and cognitive function tests need to be performed to maintain nutritional status to avert dementia.

Assessment of dietary habits, nutritional and emotional status of elderly in Mushin Local Government Area, Lagos State

Background: Old age is the final stage of the life cycle, characterized by functional decline and increased susceptibility to disease. Dietary habits, nutritional and emotional status have been shown to partly determine the quality of life of the elderly. Objective: This research assessed the dietary habits, nutritional and emotional status of the elderly. Methods: A structured questionnaire was used to obtain the socio-demographic characteristics as well as the dietary habits of the elderly. The mini-Nutritional assessment tool was used to determine the prevalence of malnutrition and Geriatric Depression Scale was used to identify depression among the elderly. Pearson’s Chi test was used to establish the association between Nutritional status and emotional status. Results: The assessment of the socio-demographic characteristics of the elderly showed that the majority (52.1%) were male, 32.4% were between the ages of 60-64 years and 81.7% were living with someone and quite a number (39.4%) lives with their spouse. The results of dietary habits assessment showed that most (69%) of the elderly ate at home with lunch as the most frequently eaten meal with 47.9% of the elderly preferred to eat lunch. The prevalence of malnutrition and depression among the elderly was found to be 11.3% and 50.7% respectively. At p < 0.05, no significant correlation existed between nutritional status and emotional status. Conclusion: Elderly habits of eating at home result in low cases of malnutrition but they still go through depression on average as they mostly live alone.

Depression and Cognitive Function in Accordance with the Nutritional Status of Elderly Women Residing in Rajarhat-Newtown Area of Kolkata, India

ABSTRACT Introduction: The nutritional status of elderly persons is reported to be affected by depression and cognitive function. The most prevalent psychological issue in old age is depression, and cognitive decline is also seen in this age range. Objective: The aim of the present study was to establish the relationship between nutritional status, depression scale, and cognitive function in older women. Materials and Methods: A total of 250 older women participated in a cross-sectional study (residing at Rajarhat-Newtown area). The lengthy version of the Mini-Nutritional Assessment tool (MNA®) was used to evaluate the participants’ nutritional status. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS 30) was used to evaluate the severity of the depression. Using the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination, cognitive function was assessed. Using SPSS software, the Chi-square, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient were computed. Multinominal logistic regression model was used by taking nutritional status as dependent variable while depression and cognitive function as independent variables. Results: Participants with mild depression made up about 50.8% and those with severe depression made up 9.2%. Age-related cognitive function was found to be severely impaired in 1.6% and mild or moderate impairment was found in 70.4% of older women. A multinominal logistic regression model validated the finding that there was a significant relationship between dietary status and both depression and cognitive performance (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Both depression and impairment in cognitive function can cause malnutrition or vice versa among older women.

Cardiovascular Risk Factors as Predictors of Nutritional Status in Older Mexican Adults.

Aging is commonly accompanied by increased cardiovascular risk and diet plays a crucial role in health condition. The aim of this study was to determine cardiovascular risk factors as predictors of nutritional risk in Mexican older adults. A cross-sectional study on Mexican patients aged ≥60 years with cardiovascular risk factors affiliated with a medical unit in Northeast Mexico was performed from July to December 2021. The nutritional risk evaluations were performed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire. After a multivariate analysis, the cardiovascular risk factors identified as independent predictors of risk of malnutrition were hypertriglyceridemia (adjusted OR (AOR): 1.8; 95% CI: 1.03-3.14; p = 0.04) and systolic hypertension I (AOR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.04-5.02; p = 0.041); age over 80 years (AOR: 5.17; 95% CI: 1.83-14.65, p = 0.002) and elementary school education (AOR: 2.34; 95% CI: 1.20-4.55; p = 0.013) were also related. The cross-sectional design and single-center approach of this study limits the generalizability of the results; however, conducting timely evaluations of blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and risk of malnutrition using the MNA tool for patients aged ≥60 years could prevent illness and reduce mortality within this population group.

Comparative analysis of nutritional status among institutionalised and community-dwelling elderly women and its association with mental health status and cognitive function.

Population pyramids are significantly impacted by the global phenomena of ageing. It has been reported that depression and cognitive function have an impact on the nutritional status of older adults. Depression is the most common psychiatric problem in old age, and cognitive deterioration is frequently observed in this age group. This descriptive and comparative study set out to compare the cognitive abilities, nutritional health and depression status of older adults who lived in community settings and in assisted living facilities. A total of 250 older women (125 from institutionalised old age home and 125 from community) participated in a cross-sectional study (residing at Rajarhat, Newtown area). The lengthy version of the Mini Nutritional Assessment tool (MNA®) was used to evaluate the participants' nutritional status. The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS 30) was used to evaluate the severity of the depression. Using the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), cognitive function was assessed. Using SPSS software, the Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Spearman's rho correlation coefficient were computed. In the present study, it was observed that only 30.4% of the respondents who are community-dwelling elderly had normal MNA score, whereas 69.6% were at risk of malnutrition or already malnourished. Considering institutionalised elderly it was observed that only 7.2% were normal and 92.8% were malnourished/at risk of malnutrition. Statistically significant association was observed between nutritional status and mental health status (P = 0.00) as well as cognitive function (P = 0.00) among old age home residing elderly. Among the community-dwelling elderly mental health status has significant association with their nutritional status (P = 0.00) and cognitive function (P = 0.00) as well. Community-dwelling elderly were relatively healthy compared to old age home residents. Maintaining the nutritional, cognitive, and mental health of institutionalised and community-dwelling elderly women requires the implementation of physical and cognitive stimulation activities as well as interventions targeted at improving a healthy diet.

Association between swallowing dynamics, tongue pressure and pulmonary function in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BackgroundSwallowing is a complex process that requires the coordination of muscles in the mouth, pharynx, larynx, and esophagus. Dysphagia occurs when a person has difficulty swallowing. In the case of subjects with respiratory diseases, the presence of oropharyngeal dysphagia potentially increases lung disease exacerbations, which can lead to a rapid decline in lung function. This study aimed to analyze the swallowing of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).MethodsPatients with IPF were evaluated using the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), tongue pressure, the Timed Water Swallow Test (TWST), and the Test of Mastication and Swallowing Solids (TOMASS). The findings were related to dyspnea severity assessed by the modified Medical Research Counsil (mMRC) score; the nutritional status screened with Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool; and pulmonary function tests, specifically spirometry and measurement of the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), the maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax), and the maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax).ResultsThe sample consisted of 34 individuals with IPF. Those who exhibited swallowing modifications scored lower on the MNA than those who did not (9.6 ± 0.76 vs. 11.64 ± 0.41 points; mean difference 1.98 ± 0.81 points; p = 0.02). They also showed poorer lung function when considering the predicted force vital capacity (FVC; 81.5% ± 4.61% vs. 61.87% ± 8.48%; mean difference 19.63% ± 9.02%; p = 0.03). The speed of liquid swallowing was altered in 31of 34 of the evaluated subjects (91.1%). The number of liquid swallows correlated significantly with the forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1)/FVC ratio (r = 0.3; p = 0.02). Solid eating and swallowing assessed with the TOMASS score correlated with lung function. The number of chewing cycles correlated negatively with PImax% predicted (r = -0.4; p = 0.0008) and PEmax% predicted (r = -0.3; p = 0.02). FVC% predicted correlated with increased solid swallowing time (r = -0.3; p = 0.02; power = 0.6). Swallowing solids was also impacted by dyspnea.ConclusionPatients with mild-to-moderate IPF can present feeding adaptations, which can be related to the nutritional status, lung function, and the severity of dyspnea.

Physical Performance, Body Composition, and Oral Health in Community-Residing Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study.

A group of active older adults was selected from a government-sponsored reunion center in Mexico City. OHRQoL was assessed using the General Oral Health Index (GOHAI), and nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool. A short physical performance battery (SPPB) was applied, and, for body composition, DXA (dual X-ray absorptiometry) was conducted. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models, and marginal probabilities were obtained. This study involved 366 participants; their mean age was 73.9 (±6.2) years, and 24.9% had type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). OHRQoL information revealed that pain or discomfort in the oral cavity was perceived by 63.9% of the older adults during the previous three months. The SPPB score was low in 159 (43.44%) participants. The logistic regression model revealed that age (OR = 1.13, p < 0.001), T2DM (OR = 2.10, p = 0.009), the risk of malnutrition/malnutrition (OR = 1.76, p = 0.047), high %BF (OR = 1.09, <0.001), and poor OHRQoL (OR = 1.96, p = 0.009) were associated with deteriorated physical performance. OHRQoL self-perception, excess body fat, and nutritional status impacted physical performance. Aging well requires a comprehensive approach.

Comparison of Mini Nutritional Assessment Tool and Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index in Predicting 12-Y Mortality Among Community-Dwelling Older Persons

BackgroundMalnutrition is a common and dangerous condition in older adults, which has been associated with increased risk of mortality. ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate and compare the abilities of Mini Nutritional Assessment short form (MNA-SF), MNA full form (MNA-FF), and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) to predict all-cause and expanded cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality in community-dwelling older adults. MethodsThis research was an observational cohort study conducted in a community setting, with a 12-y follow-up involving 1001 community-living older adults aged 65 y or older who were enrolled in 2009 and followed up until 2021. Nutritional status assessment was carried out in 2009 using MNA-SF, MNA-FF, and GNRI. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression was applied to determine adjusted hazard ratios of mortality with 95% CIs. ResultsA total of 368 deaths (36.76%) and 122 expanded CVD-related deaths (12.19%) were observed after a median follow-up of 12 y. Compared with normal nutritional status, poor nutritional status assessed by the MNA-SF, MNA-FF, and GNRI was found to be associated with an increased all-cause mortality in older persons. MNA-SF and MNA-FF, but not GNRI, were associated with expanded CVD-related mortality. The MNA-FF showed better discriminatory accuracy for all-cause (C-statistics: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.63, 0.79) and expanded CVD-related mortality (C-statistics: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.70, 0.83) than MNA-SF (C-statistics: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.73–0.79; and C-statistics: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.72–0.81, respectively) and GNRI (C-statistics: 0.75; 95% CI: 0.73–0.79; and C-statistics: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.72–0.80, respectively). ConclusionsOur findings indicate that MNA-SF, MNA-FF, and GNRI were all independent predictors of all-cause mortality. In particular, the MNA-FF may be the best nutritional assessment tool for predicting all-cause and CVD-related mortality among older persons residing in community, compared with MNA-SF and GNRI.

Type 2 Diabetes in the Elderly in Obuasi: Management Strategies and Effect on Nutrition and Health

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic non-communicable disease which requires effective management strategies, especially in the elderly, in order to maintain good nutrition and ensure optimal health. The main objective of the study was to assess the management strategies of Type 2 DM in the elderly as well as the effects of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on the nutrition and health of persons aged 60 years and above in Obuasi Municipality. Using a cross sectional study design 100 respondents comprising Type 2 diabetic patients were selected purposively to respond to the research instruments. Questionnaire and a mini nutritional assessment tool were the main instruments for the study. The findings of the study indicated that majority of the respondents were within the age range of 60-65 years and were females. Also, most of the respondents had pharmacotherapy and diet therapy as their treatment options for the management of the type 2 diabetes. Again, majority of the patients were on anti- diabetic medications while few were on insulin. Furthermore, half of the respondents had physical activities as part of their management. About half (45%) of the respondents had hypertension as additional chronic disease. Most (52.7%) of the respondents aged 60-65 years had normal nutritional status. Also, majority (45.8%) of the female respondents were malnourished. There is the need for health authorities to develop local- specific diabetes management guidelines for the patients. Dietitians/Doctors should intensify awareness and education diabetes to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve outcomes for the persons with the disease.

Burden of frailty and its correlates among the elderly: a cross-sectional study in a rural community of West Bengal.

With the ageing of Indian society, providing a healthy life among older people is a public health precedence. Therefore, beforehand discovery and possible forestalment of frailty may help promote healthy ageing and dwindle the social, mental and financial burden of their families and caregivers. The study aimed to assess the proportion of frailty and its associated factors among the elderly aged 65 years and above in a rural community of West Bengal. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 270 elderlies selected from 15 villages out of a total 64 villages of Singur under the Hooghly District of West Bengal from January 2019 to February 2020. Cluster sampling technique was used. Data was collected using a pre-designed, pre-tested structured schedule including Fried frailty phenotype (FFP), geriatric depression scale short form (GDS 15) and mini nutritional assessment (MNA) tool. Associated factors of frailty were assessed by univariate and multivariable logistic regression using SPSS version 16 software and MS Excel 2019. The proportion of frailty was observed to be 23.7% and that of prefrailty 40.7%. Frailty was significantly associated with increasing age [AOR(CI) 1.2(1.1-1.3)], decreasing years of schooling [AOR(CI) 1.3(1.1-1.5)], loss of spouse [AOR(CI) 4.2(1.2-15.2)], financial dependency [AOR(CI) 19.3(2.7-139.0)], staying at home [AOR(CI) 16.3(2.7-98.2)], presence of anaemia [AOR(CI) 3.6(1.3-9.5)], at risk of malnutrition [AOR(CI) 6.5(1.9-22.3)], increasing number of falls in the last 1 year [AOR(CI) 4.3(1.2-15.6)], presence of 3 or more chronic diseases [AOR(CI) 154.7(12.1-1981.9)] and depression [AOR(CI) 8.3(2.5-27.0)]. The burden of frailty among the study population is relatively high. It's an intimidating situation that needs bettered screening provisions for early discovery with special stress on nutritive upliftment. Screening for depression should also be done regularly.

Prevalence of Malnutrition and Related Factors in Elderly Population

Malnutrition in the elderly is caused by various complicated interaction of several factors and also it is a common issue among them. Studies from low- and middle-income countries reported a substantially greater prevalence of malnutrition than research from high income nations. According to the studies conducted in India overall occurrence of malnutrition in Indian elderly is 17.93%. Additionally, the prevalence of malnutrition was significantly influenced by geography and the tool used to detect it. The prevalence of malnutrition was higher among female 16.67%, hospital settings 28.87%, urban areas 19.29%, and northern region 27.37% of India. Malnutrition in the elderly is linked to decreased mobility, weakened immunity, and cognitive impairment, all of which lower their overall functional capacity. So, elderlies are specifically susceptible to malnutrition; thus, it is important to identify nutritional issues in them and take appropriate action. Keywords: Malnutrition, Nutritional status, Elderly aged above 60, Mini nutritional assessment tool, Prevalence of malnutrition, Risk factors.

Association Between Nutritional Status and Postoperative Delirium in Elderly Surgical Patients

Postoperative delirium is a common and severe complication among elderly surgical patients . This study aimed to investigate the relationship between preoperative nutritional status and the incidence of postoperative delirium among elderly surgical patients. This cross-sectional study enrolled 210 elderly patients (≥65 years) who underwent elective surgery. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment tool, and postoperative delirium was evaluated using the confusion assessment method. Of the 210 patients, 57% were well-nourished, 33% were at risk of malnutrition, and 10% were malnourished. The incidence of postoperative delirium was 14.3%. A statistically significant association was observed between malnutrition and the incidence of postoperative delirium (P &lt; 0.05). Malnourished patients had 3.4 times greater odds of developing postoperative delirium than well-nourished patients (P &lt; 0.05). The average length of hospital stays and complication rates were directly correlated with nutritional status. Malnourished patients had substantially longer hospital stays and higher complication rates than others (P &lt; 0.05). Additionally, age and surgical duration were identified as considerable predictors of postoperative delirium. Malnutrition is thus substantially associated with an increased risk of postoperative delirium and other adverse postoperative outcomes in elderly surgical patients. These findings highlighted the importance of preoperative nutritional assessments and interventions as part of the standard care protocols for improving surgical outcomes in the elderly.

Assessment of nutritional status in chronic periodontitis patients: A cross-sectional study.

This cross-sectional study compared the nutritional status of chronic periodontitis (CP) patients who presented with various degrees of severity with systemically healthy individuals using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®) tool along with laboratory analysis of macro- and micronutrients. This research enrolled a total of 84 participants, of which 63 belonged to the CP group while 21 served as healthy controls. The CP patients were divided into three groups of 21 each, based on severity as mild, moderate, and severe. Clinical periodontal parameters (plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing depth, clinical attachment level/loss, total number of teeth present [NOT-P], furcation involvement, pathological migration, and tooth mobility), biochemical parameters (lipid, protein, iron profiles, and Vitamin D3 and B12), and the MNA® tool were used to assess the nutritional status of all the participants. The results were analyzed statistically. NOT-P, MNA score, lipid profile (except very-low-density lipoprotein), iron profile (except total iron-binding capacity), and Vitamin D3 showed high significant differences (P < 0.001) among the groups. However, Vitamin B12 and protein profile except for total protein revealed significant differences (P < 0.05). CP can be a contributing risk factor for the development of malnutrition. MNA® tool can be used for assessing the nutritional status of CP patients.

Elderly Patients at Risk of Malnutrition Presenting to a Tertiary Hospital in Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: The nutritional status of elderly people is crucial for healthy aging, enabling them to maintain productive lives and reduce the progression of chronic diseases. Given that the quality of life tends to decline with age, it becomes particularly crucial for elderly individuals. Therefore, this study was aimed to find out the prevalence of elderly patients at risk of malnutrition in a tertiary hospital. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 281 elderly patients in a tertiary hospital from 2 January 2023 to 10 February 2023 after obtaining ethical approval. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was used. A face-to-face interview was conducted using a structured interview schedule with the elderly in the absence of their caregiver using a standard Mini-Nutritional Assessment tool for nutritional status, and WHOQOL_OLD quality of life for the elderly to assess the quality of life. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated.Results: Out of 281 elderly patients enrolled in our study, 164 (58.36%) (52.64-64.16, 95% Confidence Interval) were at risk of malnutrition. Conclusions: The study concluded that older people could be at risk of malnutrition, which could impair their quality of life.

A cross-sectional study to assess the under-nutrition amongst the elderly population in a rural area of district Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh.

Ageing is a universal process. It is influenced by a person's genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Nutrition plays a significant role in modulation of ageing. In developing countries like India, the health and nutritional status of the elderly population is not satisfactory. The current study was done to assess undernutrition amongst the elderly population and to find the various associations with sociodemographic factors and social determinants. This cross-sectional study was done from February 2023 to July 2023 in rural area of District Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. The elderly participants who were 60 years of age and more and who met the inclusion criteria were selected by simple random sampling technique for the study. Undernutrition was assessed by Mini Nutritional Assessment Tool (MNA). Out of the total of 400 elderly persons, 18% were found to be undernourished and 38% were at risk of undernutrition. The association between undernutrition and age group, gender, occupation, family type, living arrangements that is staying with family or not, financial dependence, any co-morbid illness, smoking, and physical activity was found to be significant. The present findings reveal that undernutrition is not an uncommon problem in the elderly, and further studies are needed in this regard.

Assessment of Nutritional Status among Elderly Hospitalized Patients in Enugu, Nigeria: A Hospital-based Study.

The ageing population worldwide presents a significant challenge for healthcare systems, with malnutrition being a common problem among elderly individuals, particularly those hospitalized. Assessing nutritional status is crucial for identifying and addressing malnutrition in this population. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of malnutrition among elderly hospitalized patients in a Nigerian tertiary healthcare setting. This was a hospital-based descriptive and cross-sectional study conducted from March to June 2023, involving 122 patients aged 60 years and above. Demographic data and anthropometric measurements were collected, and the Short-form Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF) tool was used to assess nutritional status. The reliability of the MNA-SF was assessed using Cronbach's α coefficient and item-to-total score correlations. The mean MNA score was 14.4 ± 5.3, with 71.3% of participants classified as malnourished, 22.1% at risk of malnutrition, and 6.6% well-nourished. Significant differences were observed in the body mass index (BMI) of nourished, at-risk, and malnourished individuals respectively (23.3 ± 3.6 kg/m2, 22.5 ± 3.8 kg/m2, and 19.6 ± 2.8 kg/m2, p < 0.001). The MNA-SF tool demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach's α coefficient = 0.777), with significant correlations between total MNA scores and most MNA-SF questions. The high prevalence of malnutrition among elderly hospitalized patients in this Nigerian tertiary hospital emphasizes the importance of implementing routine nutritional screening protocols and targeted nutritional interventions for improved health outcomes among the elderly.

Nutritional status of hospitalized elderly patients in Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study of an important yet neglected problem in clinical practice.

Malnutrition is a common geriatric syndrome affecting approximately half of the older population with a more pronounced occurrence rate in those hospitalized. It affects the physiology, and results in poor humanistic and clinical outcomes. In Africa, particularly in Ethiopia, albeit multiple studies are available on malnutrition in non-hospitalized older population, similar studies in inpatient settings are scarce. Therefore, this study was conducted with the intention to quantify the prevalence of malnutrition in older patients on inpatient admission and determine its associated factors. A total of 157 older inpatients aged 60 years and above were included in the present study. The data collection format was developed after an in-depth review of relevant literatures. The full Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool was employed to assess the nutritional status on admission. Data completeness was checked thoroughly. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were conducted using STATA 15.0. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), Hosmer-Lemeshow test, and classification table were computed to evaluate the final model goodness-of-fit. Of the total study subjects, 81% were malnourished (MNA score <17) and 17% were at risk for malnutrition (MNA score of 17.5-23.5). However, upon review of the patients' medical charts, malnutrition diagnosis was recorded in only two patients. Rural residence (AOR = 2.823, 95%CI: 1.088, 7.324), self-reported financial dependence for expenses (AOR = 4.733, 95%CI: 1.011, 22.162), and partial dependence in functional autonomy on admission (AOR = 3.689, 95%CI: 1.190, 11.433) significantly increased the risk of malnutrition. The area under the ROC curve (0.754) and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p = 0.7564) indicated that the final model reasonably fits the data. The model`s sensitivity is 96.85%. In the present study, an alarmingly high prevalence of malnutrition was identified older inpatients. The problem went undiagnosed in a similar percentage of patients. Several available literatures indicate the presence of an association between nutritional status and patient outcomes, thus strict nutritional screening at inpatient admission and intervention are recommended with special emphasis for those from rural areas, with financial dependence, and with functional impairment on admission.

Nutritional Status and Quality of Life among Geriatric Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Wellbeing of the elderly population in terms of their health and nutritional status are often ignored and unidentified in the community. This study aimed at assessing the nutritional status of the geriatric patients and their quality of life (QOL) attending OPD of Mugda Medical College Hospital. Method: This survey was conducted in the OPD of Mugda Medical College Hospital from June to December 2022 through a cross-sectional analytical method. The study tools were the Mini-Nutritional Assessment tool and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires which were used to observe the level of nutrition and quality of life among geriatric population respectively. Result: Of all the respondents, about half (46%) were at risk for malnutrition and about 28% were malnourished while 26% respondents’ level of nutrition was normal. About 62% respondents had poor QOL, whereas, 31% had fair QOL and only 7% had good QOL. Also, nutritional status and quality of life of the elderly had significant relationship. Conclusion: The impact of poor nutrition on the quality of life and physical ability of geriatric population is remarkably worthy of attention. The ageing process is challenging and raises public health concerns. Reduction of the observed prevalence of malnutrition and thereby upgrading the quality of life of elderly population should be more focused on and proper attention to this issue is crucial in the community as well as national level. J MEDICINE 2024; 25: 29-34