The influence of nutritional risk in elderly patients hospitalized for bone fracture

Abstract

Introduction: Bone fractures in older adults involve hospitalization and surgical intervention, aspects that have been related to functional and cognitive impairment. Several variables have been studied as moderators in how these patients evolve, such as nutritional status. However the implications of nutritional status in the subsequent evolution of the hospitalized elderly, has not been studied to date. Objective:In the present study the authors analyze the relationship between the nutritional status, and diferent variables related to the evolution of older adults who have undergone surgery after a bone fracture. Method and instruments:One hundred-seventy six elderly (aged 65-105 years; 138 females and 38 males) participated in the study. Participants' consent was obtained according to the Declaration of Helsinki. The following questionnaires were administered: Phototest, Auditory Verbal Learning Test of Learning Potential (AVLT-PA) and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). The questionnaires was administered at the three months of the hospitalization.Results: The elders`s nutritional state showed a significant relationship with cognitive decline (r=.171, p=.038), and with cognitive plasticity (r=.238, p<.010). Furthermore, those elderly patients at risk of malnutrition have a higher cognitive decline at the three months of the hospitalization (t= -3.808, p=.000) and worse cognitive plasticity (t= -3.096, p=.004).