scholarly journals 307 A Survey of Nutritional Status of Older Patients Attending Medicine for Older Person Clinics

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii17-iii65
Author(s):  
Keneilwe Malomo ◽  
Josephine Soh ◽  
Eamon Dolan ◽  
Marie O'Connor

Abstract Background Nutritional assessment is an important but frequently overlooked aspect of comprehensive geriatric assessment. Malnutrition is common and associated with clinical complications. Our study aimed to assess older patients’ perceptions of their nutritional status and to investigate clinical factors affecting it. Methods All patients attending our clinics over a 2 week period were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Further clinical information including diagnosis and weight collected by review of medical notes. Results A total of 43 patients completed the questionnaire; median age 82.5 years (67-102). Of these, 69.8%(n=30) were female and 27.9% (n=12) lived alone. Majority reported good appetite (83.7%, n=36) and eating 3 meals a day (79.1%,n=34). 25.6%(n=11) prepared meals themselves and 34.9%(n=15) had received nutritional advise from healthcare professionals. 17 patients (39.5%) self-reported weight loss over the past year, and of these 76.5% (n=13) had objective weight loss documented. Only 2.3% (n=1) were concerned and seek advice from healthcare professionals. 50% (n=12) of the remaining 24 patients who self-reported no weight loss had objective weight loss in clinic. 26 (60.5%) patients had objective weight loss. A higher proportion of the weight loss cohort lived alone (30.8% vs 23.5%), had no home care packages(HCP) (65.4% vs 47.1%), did not take nutritional supplement (76.9% vs 58.8%), had no dentures ( 42.5% vs 23.5%) and had no diagnosis of dementia (57.7% vs 47.1%). Of those who lost weight, 34.6% (n=9) lost significant amount (>5%) of weight, including 4 (15.4%) who lost >10%. Conclusion 2 out of 3 of our community dwelling, older patients lost weight, with one third having lost significant amount. Awareness is poor with 50% not recognising their weight loss and only one third ever sought nutritional advice. Patients who lost weight were more likely to be living alone with no formal community supports.

Author(s):  
Juliette Tavenier ◽  
Line Jee Hartmann Rasmussen ◽  
Aino Leegaard Andersen ◽  
Morten Baltzer Houlind ◽  
Anne Langkilde ◽  
...  

Abstract Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a stress-induced cytokine. Its plasma levels increase during aging and acute illness. In older Patients and age-matched Controls, we evaluated whether GDF15 levels (i) were associated with recovery after acute illness, and (ii) reflected different trajectories of aging and longitudinal changes in health measures. Fifty-two older Patients (≥65 years) were included upon admission to the emergency department (ED). At 30 days after discharge (time of matching), Patients were matched 1:1 on age and sex with Controls who had not been hospitalized within 2 years of inclusion. Both groups were followed up after 1 year. We assessed plasma levels of GDF15 and inflammatory biomarkers, frailty, nutritional status (mini nutritional assessment short-form), physical and cognitive function, and metabolic biomarkers. In Patients, elevated GDF15 levels at ED admission were associated with poorer resolution of inflammation (soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor [suPAR]), slowing of gait speed, and declining nutritional status between admission and 30-day follow-up. At time of matching, Patients were frailer and overall less healthy than age-matched Controls. GDF15 levels were significantly associated with participant group, on average Patients had almost 60% higher GDF15 than age-matched Controls, and this difference was partly mediated by reduced physical function. Increases in GDF15 levels between time of matching and 1-year follow-up were associated with increases in levels of interleukin-6 in Patients, and tumor necrosis factor-α and suPAR in age-matched Controls. In older adults, elevated GDF15 levels were associated with signs of accelerated aging and with poorer recovery after acute illness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 81 (9) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Kerry Cheah ◽  
Amy Illsley

Malnutrition is the disturbance of normal form or function, arising from the deficiency of one or more nutrients, and is a significant issue in the older adult population. Despite their reduced energy requirements, older patients need the same protein intake and micronutrients as younger patients, but age-related changes may impact the ability to meet these requirements. The cause of malnutrition in individuals is likely to be multifactorial and can therefore be complex to manage. Adequate nutrition is important for both community dwelling patients and inpatients, as malnutrition increases the risk of complications and the likelihood of needing residential or nursing home care on discharge. This article discusses the risk factors for the development of malnutrition in older patients and the different nutritional assessment tools available. Management strategies for optimising nutrition can be divided into systems and supplementation. With an ageing population, most doctors will inevitably become increasingly involved with treating older patients and this article highlights the need to consider a patient's nutritional status. Nutrition should be considered during every ward round and the multidisciplinary team as a whole should maintain an awareness and responsibility for managing malnutrition.


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Guligowska ◽  
◽  
Andrea Corsonello ◽  
Małgorzata Pigłowska ◽  
Regina Roller-Wirnsberger ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Different mechanisms connect the nutritional status with the occurrence and the course of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The end-stage renal disease is complicated by catabolic inflammatory reactions and cachexia which leads to malnutrition (undernutrition). On the other hand, obesity is an important risk factor for the development and acceleration of CKD. Methods In the SCOPE study, community-dwelling persons aged 75 years and over, from 6 European countries and Israel were examined at the baseline phase. We assessed the relationship between anthropometric measures (Body Mass Index (BMI), circumferences of arm (AC), waist (WC), hip (HC), and calf (CC), waist-to-hip ratio - WHR, waist-to-height ratio - WHtR, risk of malnutrition (Mini Nutritional Assessment - MNA), serum albumin) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated by Berlin Initiative Study (BIS) equation. Results We studied 2151 subjects (932 men and 1219 women) with a mean age of 79.5 ± 5.9 years. A total of 1333 (62%) participants had CKD (GRF < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2). Negative correlations between eGFR and weight, AC, WC, HC, CC, BMI, WHtR were observed. Positive correlation occurred between eGFR and MNA score (Spearman’s rho = 0.11) and albumin concentration (rho = 0.09). Higher weight, AC, WC, HC, CC, BMI and WHtR increased the odds ratio of CKD; higher MNA (OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.94–1.0) and higher serum albumin (OR = 0.73, 95% CI 0.53–1.0) were weakly associated with reduced odds. The risk of malnutrition was the highest with eGFR < 30 as compared to eGFR > 60 (OR = 2.95, 95%CI = 1.77–4.94 for MNA < 24; OR = 5.54, 95%CI = 1.66–18.5 for hypoalbuminemia < 3.5 g/dL). Conclusion The population of community dwelling people aged 75+ with CKD shows general features of overweight and obesity with a small prevalence of malnutrition. For anthropometric measures, the strongest association with eGFR and the highest odds of CKD were identified using WC, HC, CC and WHtR. Albumin level and MNA, but not MNA Short Form, indicated an increased odds of malnutrition with a decrease in eGFR.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Rahanur Alam ◽  
Md. Shahadat Hossain ◽  
Akibul Islam Chowdhury ◽  
Marufa Akhter ◽  
Abdullah Al Mamun ◽  
...  

Background: The average life expectancy of the Bangladeshi population has been rising over the last decade due to the economic growth along with improved medicare. Although the increased number of geriatric people and their health is a matter of great concern, this issue remains unnoticed here. Objectives: To assess the nutritional status of the functionality and to analyze the association between nutritional status and functional ability of the selected Bangladeshi geriatric population. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 participants, covering Chittagong, Noakhali, Comilla, and Jessore district of Bangladesh from December 2019 to February 2020. A standard and pretested questionnaire containing Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Tinetti Performance Oriented Mobility Assessment (POMA), Activities of daily living scale (ADL), Lawton-Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL), was used. Results: According to our study, The prevalence of malnutrition and people at risk of malnutrition have been 25.4% and 58.8%, respectively. In the case of functionality, 63.3% of subjects have high falling risk, and 61.8% of subjects can independently do their daily activities while 38.3% are dependent. Furthermore, almost 80% of people are dependent in terms of doing living skills. High risk of falling (OR=10.823; 95% CI: 5.846-20.37; p<0.001), poor skill in doing ADL (OR=6.206; 95% CI: 4.021-9.581; p<0.001), along with dependency in performing IADL (OR=4.477; 95% CI: 2.833-7.075; p<0.001) are significantly associated with malnutrition. Conclusions: Geriatric malnutrition can accelerate disability conditions, which can lead to early functional aging and subsequent loss in the quality of life.


Author(s):  
R. Mikiya ◽  
C. Momoki ◽  
D. Habu

Purpose: We investigated factors affecting diminished cough intensity in community-dwelling elderly using day care services. Participants and Methods: A total of 61 elderly males and females aged ≥65 years who were certified to receive long-term adult day care services were enrolled in this study. Assessments included: Cough intensity (assessed using cough peak flow measurements, as well as possible determinants of cough intensity, lifestyle, and demographic characteristics), nutritional status (using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form), dietary intake (using the Dietary Variety Score), routine activity (using the Japanese version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire), care-related factors (including day care services utilization and an oral exercise regimen) as well as age, need for long-term care, gender, sarcopenia status, the Charlson Comorbidity Index, and body mass, limb skeletal mass, and respiratory indices. Results: A reduced cough peak flow (odds ratio 4.46, 95% confidence interval: 1.08–18.43) was associated with sarcopenia and was weakly (not significantly) associated with age, gender, and the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form score. Conclusion: A reduced cough peak flow was independently associated with sarcopenia and associated with age, gender, and nutritional status.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Cox

Abstract Background The prevalence of malnutrition amongst pancreatic cancer patients is widely reported. This is due to reduced nutritional intake, increased energy expenditure and increased nutrient losses secondary to malabsorption. A Whipple's procedure or pancreaticoduodenectomy is the only potentially curable intervention for pancreatic cancer patients. Malnutrition is associated with increased peri and post-operative complications including delayed wound healing, longer hospital admission and higher mortality rate. Dietetic prehabilitation is a proactive intervention to assess patients’ nutritional status in preparation for elective surgery and, through early dietetic intervention, has the potential to improve perioperative outcomes. This pilot study reviewed the severity of nutritional risk in both the pre and post-operative stages to understand the need for dietetic prehabilitation in this patient group. Methods All patients referred were nutritionally assessed as part of a dietetic cancer prehabilitation pathway, which includes pre-surgical nutritional assessment within one week of referral and early post discharge nutritional assessment. Nutritional assessment was carried out using the PG-SGA short form and patients were triaged as requiring either a universal, targeted or specialist dietetic intervention dependent on severity of nutritional risk. Patients who scored &lt;4 were triaged as universal, and were low nutritional risk. Patients who scored 5-9 were triaged as targeted and were medium nutritional risk, and patients who scored &gt;9 were triaged as specialist, and were high nutritional risk. Results 35 patients were referred for dietetic prehabilitation assessment. 71% of patients were triaged as requiring either a targeted or specialist prehabilitiation intervention. BMI ranged from 15.7kg/m² to 35.9kg/m² and median weight loss was 10.0%. 23 patients received early post surgical nutritional assessment, within 12 days of discharge from hospital. All 23 patients required targeted or specialist dietetic intervention. 22 patients reported post-operative weight loss, with a median weight loss of 7.5%. There was no correlation between pre-surgical and post-surgical nutritional risk. Conclusions Patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy are at high nutritional risk in both the pre and post-operative periods. Patients without evidence of malnutrition in the pre-operative stage remain at high risk of malnutrition and the associated complications in the post operative stage. A prehabilitation programme can identify patients at nutritional risk and institute interventions to optimise perioperative nutritional status.  Findings from this review will form the basis of a study examining the effects of a prehabilitation programme on outcomes following pancreaticoduodenectomy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Paula Rocha Trotte ◽  
Rosana Oliveira Macedo ◽  
Thaiza Fragoso Nunes ◽  
Danielly Rodrigues Wassita da Rocha ◽  
Maria Eliza De Gouvêa Marti Ferrão

Abstract Objectives To identify the nutritional profile of adult and elderly patients with colorectal cancer admitted to a Proctology ward for large elective surgeries. Methods A cross-sectional and retrospective study was performed with 31 patients of both genders, aged 39 to 77 years with colorectal cancer. The nutritional screening parameters used were the percentage of weight loss and Nutrition Risck Screening (NRS 2002). The data (percentage of weight loss and NRS 2002) were collected through a nutritional assessment form completed in the care routine, applied within 72 hours after the patient's hospitalization. Results The study included 13 adults (41.9%) and 18 elderly (58.1%). The evaluation of the percentage of weight loss showed that 7 patients (22.5%) had weight loss greater than 15% in a period of less than or equal to 6 months. In the nutritional risk assessment based on the NRS 2002, we observed that 9 patients (29%) scored 2, while 22 patients (71%) achieved a score equal to or greater than 3. Conclusions The nutritional profile of the evaluated patients showed a considerable prevalence of malnutrition, considering a weight loss of more than 15% in a period of 6 months, which is associated to a decrease in survival in patients with cancer, and is a very relevant data to help in the classification of nutritional status. The classification by the NRS 2002, showed a high prevalence of patients at nutritional or malnourished risk. Variation in the classification of nutritional status using several parameters reinforces the need for them to be used in a complementary way. Funding Sources Hospital Federal dos Servidores do Estado, Ministerio da Saude.


Author(s):  
Satu K. Jyväkorpi ◽  
Annele Urtamo ◽  
Mika Kivimäki ◽  
Timo E. Strandberg

Abstract Introduction Sleep quality and quantity often decline as people age, which may negatively impact health. We examined how nutrition is associated with self-reported sleep quality and quantity in oldest-old community-dwelling men. Methods In this cross-sectional analysis of the Helsinki Businessmen Study (HBS), a random sample of 130 surviving participants underwent a clinical examination in 2017–2018. Food and nutrient intakes were retrieved from 3-day food diaries in 126 men, and sleep quality and quantity were determined with a questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed using Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF), General Health and Vitality were measured with RAND-36/SF-36 health-related quality of life instrument, and albumin and creatinine levels were analyzed from fasting serum samples. Results Mean age of the survivors was 87 years (range 83–99). Self-reported sleep quality and quantity were highly correlated (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.693). Nutritional status (MNA-SF) (p = 0.006, η2 = 0.076), vegetable intake (p = 0.030. η2 = 0.041) and vitality (p = 0.008, η2 = 0.101) were associated with better sleep quality and fish (p = 0.028, η2 = 0.051) intake was associated with longer sleep duration. This association remained after adjusting for age, sleep quality, carbohydrate energy %, and albumin levels. Conclusion Healthy nutrition may be an important contributor to sleep hygiene in oldest-old men.


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