Characteristics of undernourished older medical patients and the identification of predictors for undernutrition status

Abstract

Background: Undernutrition among older people is a continuing source of concern, particularly among acutely hospitalized patients. The purpose of the current study is to compare malnourished elderly patients with those at nutritional risk and identify factors contributing to the variability between the groups.

Factors associated with (risk of) undernutrition in community-dwelling older adults receiving home care: a cross-sectional study in the Netherlands

“…A possible explanation for this is that in those studies undernutrition was defined using the MNA (61)(62)(63) , a tool which includes information on health status. Therefore, it is to be expected that health status is associated with the MNA score.…”

Dâhi̇li̇ye Poli̇kli̇ni̇ği̇ne Başvuran Geri̇atri̇k Hastalarin Çok Yönlü Fonksi̇yonel Değerlendi̇ri̇lmesi̇ Ve Beslenme Durumlarinin İrdelenmesi̇ /the Multiple Functional and Nutritional Status Assessment of Geriatric Outpatient in the Internal Medicine Department

“…Çiğneme problemlerinin, bulantı ve kusmanın bu grupta daha fazla olduğu bulunmuştur. Çalışma yapılan grubun %18,5'inde malnutrisyon, %81.5'inde malnutrisyon riski saptanmıştır (30). Bir başka çalışmada, malnutrisyon prevalansı %28,8, malnutrisyon riski %62.5 olarak bulunmuş (31).…”

Immunonutrition: a South African perspective

“…10 This may help to determine the best nutrition therapy for patients in a specific category. Furthermore, it has been consistently documented that approximately 15-70% of patients are undernourished or malnourished on admission to hospital, [11][12][13][14][15][16] which further complicates the provision of optimal nutrition therapy. Against this heterogeneity, while the provision of nutrients to meet requirements remains of paramount importance, it might be considered simplistic that the "one nutrition therapy regimen will fit all" approach can provide optimal therapeutic support.…”

“…116,117 Whether the latter translates into meaningful clinical outcomes remain to be seen. supplementation as a pharmaconutrient in critically ill patients has been described, 118 but clinical intervention trials studying vitamin B 12 as a pharmaconutrient strategy in the critical care setting are awaited. One recent observational study indicated an increased mortality rate in patients with Vitamin B 12 levels over 900 pg/ml (p-value < 0.0002).…”

“…The length of mechanical ventilation was also significantly reduced and improved early respiratory function was observed. 112 Other micronutrients that have received attention in recent years include vitamin D and vitamin B 12 . Vitamin D deficiency states have been described in patients with severe sepsis and other critically ill populations 113,114 with low levels of vitamin D-binding hormone being reported.…”