Risk of malnutrition and associated factors in institutionalized elderly persons

Abstract

Objective : to evaluate the risk of malnutrition and associated factors in institutionalized elderly persons. Method : a cross-sectional study was carried out with elderly persons living in long-term care facilities in the municipal regions of Passo Fundo (Rio Grande do Sul) and Carazinho (Rio Grande do Sul) in 2017. A standardized, pre-codified questionnaire with sociodemographic variables was used, along with anthropometric data and the Mini Nutritional Assessment. Cognitive decline and non-intentional weight loss were also evaluated. The qualitative variables were presented in terms of univariate frequencies and the quantitative variables were described through measures of central tendency and dispersion. In order to verify the association between the categorical variables, the Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Chi-Squared test and the Fisher Exact test were applied, and in the crude and adjusted analysis the Poisson regression was used with robust variance. The level of significance was 5%. Results : a total of 399 elderly people were included, of whom 69.9% were female, 54.5% were aged 80 years or older and 88.4% were white. Of these elderly people, 61.7% lived in non-profit facilities. In the evaluation of nutritional status, 26.6% of the elderly were found to be malnourished, 48.1% were at risk of malnutrition and 25.3% had normal nutritional status. The highest prevalence ratio of at risk of malnutrition/malnutrition was with cognitive decline and unintentional weight loss (p<0.001). Conclusion : through the results, identifying nutritional status and the characteristics associated with the risk of malnutrition contribute to effective evaluation and nutritional monitoring, assisting in the prevention of diseases related to this condition.

Prevalence of chronic pain and analysis of handgrip strength in institutionalized elderly

“…Still, there was no relationship between the HGS and chronic pain, but between the HGS and the factors gender and age. In this study, it was found that the profile of the institutionalized elderly consisted predominantly of private residents of LTCF, women, long-lived, widows and with education from 1 to 8 years 12 and that are in agreement with other studies 11,17,18 . With the considerable increase in the number of elderly people in recent times, musculoskeletal disorders, especially chronic pain, have been one of the main complaints among this population 19 , and in up to 80% of cases, these symptoms persist for at least two years until the search for treatment 20 .…”

COVID-19 em idosos: por que eles são mais vulneráveis ao novo coronavírus?/ COVID-19 in elderly: why are they more vulnerable to the new coronavirus?

“…A atenção nutricional é um aspecto relevante atribuído a saúde do idoso, pois manter uma nutrição com vitaminas, oligoelementos, nutracêuticos e produtos naturais são essenciais para fortalecer o sistema imunológico e consequentemente, aumentar as defesas do organismo contra o COVID 19. Entretanto, com o avançar da idade os gostos e odores são sentidos com menor intensidade, devido a alterações fisiológicas nos órgãos sensitivos, o que pode gerar perda de apetite, escolhas alimentares erradas e desnutrição (14) .…”

Prevalência da desnutrição em idosos

“…Nesse estudo, foram mostrados enfermidades que podem ter sido a causa de desnutrição em idosos, sendo elas de ordem biológica e mental. As que foram associadas estatisticamente (Alzheimer, Declínio cognitivo, Doença periodontal, Depressão, Hipoalbuminemia e Anemia), encontram-se nos estudos de Nobre et al (2011); Damo et al (2018); Mesas et al (2010); Brock et al (2016); Silva et al (2012). , em uma revisão de literatura também encontraram enfermidades relacionadas com a desnutrição .…”