Aims To evaluate the association between vitamin D insufficiency and peripheral neuropathy in a nationally representative sample of adults with diagnosed diabetes. Methods Vitamin D concentrations, medical examination variables and questionnaire results from the 2001–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analysed for adults ≥ 40 years old with diagnosed diabetes (unweighted n = 591, weighted n = 8.82 million). Neuropathy was defined as self report of peripheral neuropathy symptoms of painful sensation, tingling, numbness or loss of feeling in hands or feet. Additionally, Semmes–Weinstein monofilament test results were used as an indicator of neuropathy. Insufficient vitamin D was characterized as < 30 ng/ml. Results In the weighted population, 81% of adults with diabetes had vitamin D insufficiency. Vitamin D insufficiency was more common among Hispanics (92%) and non-Hispanic black people (98%) than among non-Hispanic white people (76%). Within the 3 months preceding the questionnaire, 50% reported experiencing pain or numbness (paresthesia) in their hands or feet; 37% reported pain or tingling in hands or feet; and 38% reported numbness or loss of feeling in hands or feet. Eight per cent had 4–6 insensate areas on their feet as determined by the Semmes– Weinstein monofilament test. Logistic regressions demonstrate vitamin D insufficiency is associated with the adjusted composite paresthesia measure (odds ratio 2.12; 95% CI 1.17–3.85) and the adjusted numbness measure (odds ratio 2.04; 95% CI 1.18–3.52). Conclusions Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with self-reported peripheral neuropathy symptoms even after adjusting for demographic factors, obesity, co-morbidities, use of medications for neuropathy and diabetes duration and control.

Malnutrition predicts preterm death, but whether this is valid irrespective of the cause of death is unknown. The aim of the present study was to determine whether malnutrition is associated with cause-specific mortality in older adults. This cohort study was conducted in Sweden and included 1767 individuals aged ≥65 years admitted to hospital in 2008-2009. On the basis of the Mini Nutritional Assessment instrument, nutritional risk was assessed as well nourished (score 24-30), at risk of malnutrition (score 17-23·5) or malnourished (score <17). Cause of death was classified according to the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision, into twenty different causes of death. Data were analysed using Cox proportional hazards regression models. At baseline, 55·1 % were at risk of malnutrition, and 9·4 % of the participants were malnourished. During a median follow-up of 5·1 years, 839 participants (47·5 %) died. The multiple Cox regression model identified significant associations (hazard ratio (HR)) between malnutrition and risk of malnutrition, respectively, and death due to neoplasms (HR 2·43 and 1·32); mental or behavioural disorders (HR 5·73 and 5·44); diseases of the nervous (HR 4·39 and 2·08), circulatory (HR 1·95 and 1·57) or respiratory system (HR 2·19 and 1·49); and symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified (HR 2·23 and 1·43). Malnutrition and risk of malnutrition are associated with increased mortality regardless of the cause of death, which emphasises the need for nutritional screening to identify older adults who may require nutritional support in order to avoid preterm death.

Nutritional status predicts preterm death in older people: a prospective cohort study.

This is an accepted version of a paper published in Clinical Nutrition. This paper has been peer-reviewed but does not include the final publisher proof-corrections or journal pagination.Citation for the published paper: Söderström, L., Thors-Adolfsson, E., Rosenblad, A., Frid, H., Saletti, A. et al. (2013) "Mealtime habits and meal provision are associated with malnutrition among elderly patients admitted to hospital" Clinical Nutrition, 32 (2) are important for identifying individuals at risk. The aims of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition and to examine the association between mealtime habits, meal provision, and malnutrition among elderly patients admitted to hospital.Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients aged ≥ 65 years admitted to internal medicine, surgical or orthopaedic wards. The MNA was used for their nutritional assessment, and factors potentially associated with malnutrition were recorded.Results: Of 1771 patients (mean age 78 years), 35.5% were well-nourished, 55.1% were at risk of malnutrition and 9.4% were malnourished. Overnight fasts exceeding 11 hours, fewer than four eating episodes a day, and not cooking independently were associated with both malnutrition and risk of malnutrition. Conclusions:The risk of malnutrition was high among elderly patients admitted to hospital, whereas the proportion with fully developed malnutrition was lower than expected. A long overnight fast, few eating episodes, and not cooking independently were associated with an increased risk of malnutrition. Knowledge of these factors when providing care to the elderly may assist health-care professionals to prevent malnutrition.