title: Malnutrition in geriatric patients: a neglected problem?
abstract: The nutrient intake in geriatric long-stay patients and the mortality risk associated with low energy intake were studied in 61 patients, 43 women and 18 men, with a mean age of 87 years, at a geriatric long-stay care hospital during a 6-month follow-up. Dietary intake was assessed with a 9-day dietary record. Energy expenditure was calculated assuming a physical activity level of 1.33 x basal metabolic rate (BMR), predicted from equations given by FAO/WHO. Mean energy intakes were 1557 kcal in men and 1280 kcal in women; 84% of the patients had an intake below estimated energy expenditure and 30% were below estimated BMR. Only 5% received dietary supplement. Eleven out of the 61 patients died during the follow-up and the deceased had lower energy intake than the others (1185 kcal vs 1401 kcal, P < 0.05). An energy intake below median (1378 kcal) was associated with an age adjusted increased 6-month mortality risk, odds ratio 12.5. A high proportion of geriatric long-stay patients report dietary intake far below present recommendations and are thereby at risk for having/developing malnutrition. Improved surveillance of geriatric long-stay patients' dietary habits seems justified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elmståhl
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Persson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Andrén
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Blabolil
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002149:Energy Intake; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities