scholarly journals Study of community-living Alzheimer’s patients’ adherence to the Mediterranean diet and risks of malnutrition at different disease stages

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariona Rocaspana-García ◽  
Joan Blanco-Blanco ◽  
Alfonso Arias-Pastor ◽  
Montserrat Gea-Sánchez ◽  
Gerard Piñol-Ripoll

BackgroundAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by deficits in episodic memory. It is the most common form of dementia and affects 50–70% of patients with cognitive impairments over the age of 65. Elderly people are particularly susceptible to malnutrition and that risk is even higher in patients with AD. This study assessed the nutritional status of patients with AD at different stages of AD and explored how that status correlated with cognitive, functional and behavioural variables and caregiver overburden. The characteristics of the diet and the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet were also analysed.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study that was representative of the general population and it was carried out in the Unit of Cognitive Disorders, Lleida, Spain. The participants were 111 subjects with AD who were aged 65 and over and still living at home. The subjects’ nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and Controlling Nutritional Status system. The monthly food intake was estimated using the short Food Frequency Questionnaire and adherence to the Mediterranean diet was evaluated using the Mediterranean Diet Score. The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Global Deterioration Scale, Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) and Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) were also used.ResultsWe found that 68% of the subjects presented with a risk of malnutrition and 19% were malnourished according to the MNA scale. Patients ate a higher quantity of meat and dairy products than recommended and fewer products from the remaining healthier food groups. Of the 111 subjects, 73% showed low adherence to the Mediterranean diet and 27% showed moderate adherence. There was a partial correlation between nutritional status and the MMSE when the data were adjusted for age and sex (r = 0, 318;p = 0.001) and inverse correlations were found for functional status (r =  − 0.283;p = 0.004) and the NPI (r =  − 0.409;p = 0.000) and ZBI scales (r =  − 0.433;p = 0.000) when they were adjusted using the same variables. The ZBI scale (OR 1.08, 95% CI [1.01–1.15]) showed an increase in the risk of malnutrition in the multivariate analysis.DiscussionAlterations in nutritional status were more common during the advanced stages of AD and were also associated with behavioural changes and caregiver overburden. Low adherence to traditional healthy diets in Mediterranean countries and food intake profiles should be considered when managing patients with AD. Other countries can use the results to examine diets in people with AD that are high in meat and dairy and low in healthy food groups like fruit and vegetables.

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (9A) ◽  
pp. 1629-1634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leda Chatzi ◽  
Manolis Kogevinas

AbstractObjectiveTo discuss current evidence about the relation between prenatal and childhood Mediterranean diet, and the development of asthma and allergies in children.DesignReview of the literature.Setting and resultsFour recent studies conducted in Mediterranean countries (Spain, Greece) and one conducted in Mexico evaluated the association between childhood Mediterranean diet and asthma outcomes in children. All of the studies reported beneficial associations between a high level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet during childhood and symptoms of asthma or allergic rhinitis. Individual foods or food groups contributing to the protective effect of Mediterranean diet included fish, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and cereals, while detrimental components included red meat, margarine and junk food intake.Two studies focused on prenatal Mediterranean diet: the first is a birth cohort in Spain that showed a protective effect of a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet during pregnancy on persistent wheeze, atopic wheeze and atopy at the age of 6·5 years; while the second is a cross-sectional study in Mexico, collecting information more than 6 years after pregnancy, that showed no associations between maternal Mediterranean diet during pregnancy and allergic symptoms in childhood except for current sneezing.ConclusionsFindings from recent studies suggest that a high level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet early in life protects against the development of asthma and atopy in children. Further studies are needed to better understand the mechanisms of this protective effect, to evaluate the most relevant window of exposure, and to address specific components of diet in relation to disease.


Author(s):  
Jia-Yu Wei ◽  
Shu-Ting Shi ◽  
Dan Sun ◽  
Guo-Zhong Lyu

Abstract Objective Nutritional assessment can early identify patients who are malnourished and at risk of malnutrition. To examine the effect of nutritional status on wound healing in elderly burn patients, we used the MNA-SF to measure the nutritional status of elderly patients. This study aimed to examine the role of MNA-SF in elderly burn patients through the correlation analysis of wound-healing indicators and MNA-SF score. Design Prospective observational and cross-sectional study. Methods This study used the MNA-SF to investigate the elderly burn patients at the department of burn. According to the score, the patients fell into three groups: good nutritional status (more than 12 points), malnutrition risk (8~11 points), and malnutrition (0~7 points). At the same time, we measured and compared the wound-healing indicators among the three groups of patients, and detected the correlation. Results The statistical analysis found gender had a slight influence on the score of nutritional status. While age was negatively correlated with the MNA-SF score and nutrition-related indicators. There was a low positive linear correlation between the wound healing percent area change or wound healing rate of patients and the score of the MNA-SF. Conclusion This study finds malnutrition is common among hospitalized elderly burn patients. The application of the MNA-SF in elderly burn patients is efficient and accurate to identify malnutrition early and prevent further obstruction of the normal wound healing, which can provide reference points for early nutrition intervention programs.


2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angel G Hilerio Lopez

Malnutrition in the older adult is an ongoing situation in Mexico and is most apparent in individuals that reside in hospitals, nursing homes, and retirement homes. For that reason, it is necessary to evaluate the nutritional status of these adults by means of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and levels of three serum indicators that are commonly ordered when making malnutrition diagnosis. An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 older adults residing in eldercare facilities. Nutritional status was evaluated by means of the MNA and three serum indicators (albumin, ferritin, and hemoglobin). Descriptive statistics were used to analyze sociodemographic characteristics, and a Student’s t test, based on gender and reference values, was used to compare mean values of the three serum indicators.  A Chi-square test was used to compare proportions in individuals, based on gender, who had normal nutritional status or were malnourished, and who were at-risk of malnutrition.  A One-way ANOVA with Scheffé post hoc test was used to identify the association between serum indicators and nutritional status of older adults. Of the 100 older adults studied, 53% were men and 47% were women. The mean age was 85±0.7 years. According to the MNA, 20% had normal nutritional status, 55% were at-risk of malnutrition, and 25% were malnourished. The mean indicator values were: albumin 4.7±0.04 g/dL, ferritin 74.2±8.7 ng/mL, and hemoglobin 13.0±0.1 g/dL. No significant association was found between serum indicators and each MNA classification; however, when the same indicators were compared between the sexes, hemoglobin showed a significant difference (P=0.037). Women had lower values but those values did not extend beyond the established physiological range for this population. There was a 55% prevalence of risk of malnutrition in the nutritional status of older adults living in Mexican eldercare facilities in a Mexican province and it was even more frequent in women. 


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sieske ◽  
Janssen ◽  
Babel ◽  
Westhoff ◽  
Wirth ◽  
...  

The effect of inflammation on appetite and food intake has been rarely studied in humans. In this study, we examined the association of C-reactive protein (CRP), as an inflammatory marker, with appetite and food intake among older hospitalized patients. A total of 200 older individuals, who were consecutively admitted to a geriatric acute care ward, participated in this prospective observational study. Appetite was evaluated using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) and the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ), respectively. Food intake was measured according to plate diagram method and participants were categorized as having food intake <75% and ≥75% of meals served. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF). In addition, serum CRP was analyzed and the levels >3.0 (mg/dL) were considered as moderate to severe inflammation. Of total population with mean age 81.4 ± 6.6 years (62.5% females), 51 (25.5%) had no inflammation and 88 (44.0%) and 61 (30.5%) had mild and moderate to severe inflammation, respectively. According to MNA-SF, 9.0% and 60.0% had normal nutritional status or a risk of malnutrition, respectively, whereas 31.0% were malnourished. Based on the SNAQ-appetite-question, 32.5% of the patients demonstrated poor and very poor appetite whereas 23.5% reported severe loss of appetite according to ESAS. Ninety-five (48.0%) of the participants had food intake <75% of the meals offered. Significant associations between SNAQ-appetite (p = 0.003) and ESAS-appetite (p = 0.013) scores and CRP levels were observed. In addition, significant differences were observed in CRP levels between intake ≥75% and <75% of meals served (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there were significant associations between appetite and nutritional status whereas malnourished older patients demonstrated a decreased appetite compared to those with normal nutritional status (p = 0.011). In a regression analysis, inflammation was the major independent risk factor for patients’ appetite (p = 0.003) and food intake (p = 0.011) whereas other variables such as infection (p = 0.960), chronic inflammatory diseases (p = 0.371), age (p = 0.679) and gender (p = 0.447) do not show any impact on appetite. Our findings confirm that poor appetite and low food intake are associated with inflammation in older hospitalized patients, suggesting that inflammation may contribute an important aspect to the development of malnutrition in these patients.


Author(s):  
D. J. Patil ◽  
M. M. Shindhe

Background: Worldwide the elderly population gradually increasing and that will definitely pose several challenges. Malnutrition is one of the major but neglected problem in elderly. They are at risk of malnutrition due to physical, psychological, social, dietary and environmental risk factors. Malnutrition in elderly is associated with adverse health effects. Hence to study the nutritional status of elderly.Methods: The study was carried out between January 2016- June 2017. 545 elderly were included in the study. Out of the 6 subcentres, 1 subcentre (Uchagaon) was selected by simple random sampling technique and house to house survey was carried out to select eligible elderly participants in the villages of selected subcentre. Data was collected from eligible elderly by using mini nutritional assessment (MNA) tool.Results: Majority of the participants (65.1%) were between the age group of 60-69 years. 55% were females. 23.5% were malnourished, 49% were at risk of malnutrition and 27.5% had normal nutritional status.Conclusions: The present study concluded that majority of the elderly were at risk of malnutrition. There is a need of actions to improve the nutritional status of the elderly.


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):  
Gerson Scherrer Júnior ◽  
Maria Isabel Barbosa Rodrigues ◽  
Kleyton Góes Passos ◽  
Odete Teresinha Portela ◽  
Angélica Castilho Alonso ◽  
...  

Comparar o grau de dependência e correlacionar a dependência com as variáveis sociodemográficas, cognição e estado nutricional de idosos residentes em instituições de longa permanência pública de São Paulo. Estudo transversal e analítico, com 154 idosos, moradores de instituições, inseridas no seio da comunidade, que acolhem idosos em situação de vulnerabilidade social. Os dados foram coletados em agosto de 2016. As informações sociais, culturais, epidemiológicas e de estilo de vida foram transcritas dos prontuários, as atividades básicas da vida diária avaliadas pelo Índice de Katz, o estado mental pelo mini exame do estado mental, condição nutricional pelo mini avaliação nutricional. O aumento da idade, maior quantidade de doenças e tempo de moradia, má condição cognitiva e nutricional aumenta o grau de dependência dos idosos institucionalizados. Os achados recomendam às instituições a oferta de um ambiente que promova a cognição, o físico e estilo de vida saudável.Descritores: Instituição de Longa Permanência para Idosos, Envelhecimento, Atividades Cotidianas. Factors associated with the dependence of elderly residents in public institutionsAbstract: To compare the degree of dependence and correlate dependence with the sociodemographic variables, cognition and nutritional status of elderly people living in long - term public institutions in. A cross-sectional and analytical study, with 154 elderly people, residents of institutions within the community, who welcome elderly people in situations of social vulnerability. The data were collected in August 2016. The social, cultural, epidemiological and lifestyle information was transcribed from the charts, the basic activities of daily living evaluated by the Katz Index, the mental state by the mini-mental state examination, nutritional condition by the mini nutritional assessment. Increased age, higher amount of illnesses and length of stay, poor cognitive and nutritional status increase the degree of dependence of the institutionalized elderly. The findings recommend that institutions offer an environment that promotes cognition, physical and healthy lifestyle.Descriptors: Homes for the Aged, Aging, Activities of Daily Living.Factores asociados a la dependencia de ancianos residentes en instituiciones públicasResumen: Comparar o determinar la dependencia y la correlación con la dependencia como variables sociodemográficas, conocimiento y estado nutricional de los residentes en instituciones de larga duración pública de São Paulo. Estudio transversal y analítico, con 154 ancianos, habitantes de instituciones, insertas en el seno de la comunidad, que acogen a ancianos en situación de vulnerabilidad social. Los datos fueron recolectados en agosto de 2016. Las informaciones sociales, culturales, epidemiológicas y de estilo de vida fueron transcritas de los archivos, actividades básicas de la vida cotidiana evaluadas por el índice de Katz, el estado mental por el mini examen del estado mental. El aumento de la edad, mayor cantidad de enfermedades y tiempo de morada, mala condición cognitiva y nutricional aumenta el grado de dependencia de los ancianos institucionalizados. Los hallazgos recomiendan a las instituciones la oferta de un ambiente que promueve la cognición, el físico y el estilo de vida saludable.Descriptores: Hogares para Ancianos, Envejecimiento, Actividades Cotidianas.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Khoirul Anam ◽  
Takdir Tahir ◽  
Ilkafah Ilkafah

Background: Chemotherapy is highly recommended for cancer treatment, however can cause some side effects such as nausea and vomiting. This will affect food intake and nutritional status in cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy. Aim: To describe nutritional status based on anthropometry Body Mass Index (BMI), hemoglobin (Hb), Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in RSUP. Dr. Wahidin sudirohusodo Makassar. Methode: This experiment uses a quantitative non-experimental research method with cross sectional approach on 1010 patients, nonprobability sampling with purposive sampling technique on 70 respondents, data collection with interview and observation techniques. Results: Nutritional status based on Body Mass Index (BMI) shows that 39 people (55.7%) had normal BMI values. About 37 people (52.9%) had good / normal nutritional status based on Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA)  while Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) reveals 100% of respondents experienced nutritional status problems. Conclusion: Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is the best tool to identify nutritional status of cancer patients that undergo chemotherapy since this instrument is very sensitive and practical. Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) is good to assess nutritional status in subject who have lost weight drastically and shows signs of subcutaneous fat loss and muscle mass loss. Keyword: Cancer, chemotherapy, body mass index (BMI), Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA).


Author(s):  
Amit Vasant Deshpande ◽  
Baer Philip Ravikumar

Background: Malnutrition among geriatrics remain undetected. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of malnutrition among geriatric outpatients and various factors associated with it.Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in Mamata medical college, Khammam, Telangana, in which we included geriatric patients (more than 60 years of age) who visited the outpatient clinic between January 2021 till March 2021. All study participants were evaluated for the following two domains of frailty: physical frailty and psychological frailty.Results: During the study period, we included 185 participants in the study. Based on mini nutritional assessment (MNA), 20% participants had normal nutrition, 55% were at risk of malnutrition and 25% had malnutrition. We observed that 59% of the participants with malnutrition were aged more than 80 years, 35% were smokers, 67% were living alone and 83% had comorbidities. It was observed that 67% and 57% of the study participants with malnutrition had impaired activities of daily living and impaired instrumental activities of daily living respectively. 54% of those malnutrition were depressed, which was significantly higher as compared to those with normal nutrition and those at risk of malnutrition (p value <0.05).Conclusions: The results of the present study demonstrate the nutritional status of geriatric outpatients is associated with physical as well as psychological frailty. Therefore, it is recommended that detailed nutritional assessment of patients of geriatric age groups should be conducted when they present in the outpatient clinic for any reason or complaint.


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