Malnutrition and depression in the institutionalised elderly

Abstract

Malnutrition and depression are highly prevalent in the institutionalised elderly and can lead to unfavourable outcomes. The aim of the present study was to assess associations between nutritional status and depressive symptoms and to explore their impact on self-caring capacity and quality of life (QoL) in elderly nursing-home residents (NHR). We conducted a cross-sectional study with 114 NHR (eighty-six female) with a mean age of 84·6 (SD 9·1) years. Nutritional status was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Depressive symptoms were rated with the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Self-caring capacity was measured with the Barthel index (BI) and QoL was assessed with the short-form thirtysix-item (SF-36) questionnaire. Of the NHR, twenty-six (22·8 %) were malnourished according to the MNA and sixty-six (57·9 %) were at nutritional risk. Of the residents, seventy-five could be assessed with the GDS, whereof sixteen (21·3 %) had major and twenty-six (34·7 %) had minor depressive symptoms. GDS scores tended to be higher in patients with impaired nutritional status (5·4 (SD 3·6) in well-nourished subjects and 6·9 (SD 3·2) in residents with malnutrition or at risk of malnutrition). The MNA correlated significantly with the GDS (r 20·313; P¼ 0·006) and the GDS emerged as the only independent risk factor for malnutrition in a multiple regression analysis, whereas age, sex, care level, number of prescriptions and self-caring capacity had no influence. The BI was not reduced in patients with a high GDS. QoL was affected in malnourished residents as well as in study participants with depressive symptoms. The results of the present study point towards an association between malnutrition and depressive symptoms. However, the relationship is complex and it remains unclear whether depression in NHR is the cause or consequence of impaired nutritional status. Further studies are needed to identify the direction of this relationship and to assess the effect of depression treatment on nutritional and functional status as well as on QoL.Nursing-home residents: Malnutrition: Depression: Quality of life Malnutrition is a frequent problem in aged individuals. Whereas the prevalence in free-living elderly ranges between 5 and 10 % (1) , it can reach up to 60 % in institutionalised individuals (2,3) . The aetiology of malnutrition is multifactorial and the consequences are severe: a decrease in functional status (4) and consequently high dependency, an impaired quality of life (5) as well as higher morbidity and mortality (6,7) .Depression is a further common health problem in late life with prevalence rates of up to 45 % in the institutionalised elderly (8 -10) . The consequences of untreated depression are manifold and cause an increased use of health care and medical services (9,11) , affect quality of life and well-being negatively (11) and can cause increased mortality (12) . Despite growing evidence that depression is a problem especially in the institutionalised elderly, only little attention is paid to this ...

Depressive symptoms in community-dwelling persons aged ≥60 years in Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu in eThekwini, KwaZulu-Natal

“…Poor nutrition has been identified as a risk factor for depression in studies from both developing and developed countries. A study of institutionalised British elderly, using the MiniNutritional Assessment and the Geriatric Depression Scale, [18] found a significant association between malnutrition and depression, as did a Brazilian study. [19] The findings in the INK population are consistent with these studies.…”

Prevalensi Dan Distribusi Faktor Risiko Depresi Pada Lansia Di Wilayah Kerja Puskesmas Tampaksiring I Kabupaten Gianyar Bali 2015

“…Keadaan depresi yang tidak tertangani dengan baik menyebabkan peningkatan penggunaan fasilitas kesehatan dan medis, mengurangi kualitas hidup, dan kematian. 7 Data insidens depresi di Indonesia sangat bervariasi dan berbeda di masing-masing daerah penelitian. Salah satu penelitian menyatakan bahwa angka depresi pada lansia di Indonesia sebesar 6,5% 8 , sedangkan angka depresi pada lansia yang menderita suatu penyakit cenderung lebih tinggi, yakni sekitar 12-24%.…”

Fatores associados à desnutrição em idosos institucionalizados

“…[13][14][15][16][17] A relação causal entre depressão e desnutrição ainda é incerta. Tem sido observado que os indivíduos deprimidos têm, frequentemente, maiores deficiências de algumas vitaminas, tais como ácido fólico ou piridoxina, e alguns minerais, como magnésio ou zinco, em comparação com indivíduos sem depressão.…”

“…Altenhoevel A. et al 24 Variáveis investigadas Estado nutricional 4,13,[14][15][16][17]19,20,24,25,29,30 , idade e sexo 4,[13][14][15][16][17]20,24,25,29,30 , estado civil e escolaridade [13][14][15][16]29,30 , renda 15,30 , naturalidade 29 , profissão 13,15,29 , condição de saúde (tipo e número de doenças e medicamentos em uso) 4,[13][14][15][16][17]20,24,25,29 , presença de depressão 4,13,17,24 ,capacidade funcional 13,…”