Prevalence and factors associated with geriatric malnutrition in an outpatient clinic of a teaching hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BACKGROUNDMalnutrition is highly prevalent among the elderly and is associated with poor clinical prognosis, decreased functional status, and increased morbidity and mortality.OBJECTIVETo estimate the prevalence of geriatric malnutrition among outpatients of a geriatric clinic and to determine factors associated with malnutrition.DESIGNCross-sectional study.SETTINGGeriatric outpatient clinic of the King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah.PATIENTS AND METHODSAll patients older than 60 years of age who attended the clinic during January 2016 were eligible for inclusion. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric data and by hemoglobin and albumin levels and lymphocyte count. The MNA was used to define malnutrition.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURESAnthropometric measures, biochemical tests, and the scores on the short version of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA).RESULTSAccording to the MNA results, 8 (5.3%) of 152 elderly patients suffered overt malnutrition and 50 (32.9%) were at risk of malnutrition (71 males and 41 females; aged 72.4 [8.6] years). The prevalence of malnutrition was significantly higher among females (44.6%; 95% CI, 1.01–4.08; P=.044) than in males (28.3%). Malnourished patients were older than patients with normal nutritional status (mean 72.4 [8.6] years), and more common in patients who lived alone (62.5%). The malnourished patients had significantly smaller calf circumferences (63.4; 95% CI, 1.51–3.20; P=.001), and lower albumin and hemoglobin levels (P=.001). A significantly higher percentage of the malnourished patients compared with normal patients had experienced weight loss (37.9%; P<.001) and decreased food intake (56.9%; P<.001) during the previous three months. Binary logistic regression revealed that being female and living alone were significant predictors for being categorized as malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.CONCLUSIONThe prevalence of malnutrition is high among geriatric outpatients. Routine screening for malnutrition among geriatric patients would allow early diagnosis and prompt intervention.LIMITATIONSThe heterogeneity of the study group (different diseases at different stages) could influence the generalizability of our findings. The relatively small number of patients (P=.002) is a potential limitation.

Evaluation of nutritional status of elderly patients presenting to the Family Health Center

“…It is found further in the study that the prevalence of malnutrition is higher in females than in males, as well as in older patients, and patients with malnutrition have poorer appetites. 22 Similar results were found in the present study. Patients with malnutrition displayed a severe lack of appetite, the malnutrition risk group had a poor appetite, and there were statistically significant differences between the groups when compared with patients of normal nutritional status.…”

Self-Reported Morbidities, Nutritional Characteristics, and Associated Factors in Institutionalized and Non-Institutionalized Elderly

“…in persons with cognitive impairments, those in institutional care, and those hospitalized, respectively [3]. These ndings are con rmed by other studies elsewhere [1,17,18].…”

“…to 71% among the elderly living in special housing [3]. Nevertheless, prevalence of malnutrition is lower among Chinese, Spanish and Taiwanese elders [18,19,20].…”

“…Aging is a natural and inevitable process, which presents new challenges to health care for most countries. There was a strong relationship between old age and cognitive, functional and malnutrition impairments [1,2,3]. This demographic trend, related with an increase of chronic illnesses and a rapid advance in medical equipment, will lead to a sharp increase in the number of older people in need of nursing care and health-care facilities [1].…”

Desnutrição Em Pacientes Pré Cirúrgicos Do Trato Gastrointestinal / Malnutrition in Pre-Surgical Patients of the Gastrointestinal Tract

“…Desse modo, percebe-se a diferença entre os resultados quando utilizados de maneira isolada, demonstrando mais uma vez a importância de se utilizar a combinação de várias ferramentas para o diagnóstico nutricional do paciente. utilizados para mulheres e limítrofe para homens Alzahrani, El Sayed, Alshamrani (2016),. encontraram no seu estudo que os pacientes desnutridos ou com risco de desnutrição, apresentaram níveis médios de hemoglobina significativamente menores.…”