Relationships between nutritional markers and the mini-nutritional assessment in 155 older persons.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationships between nutritional status measured by a comprehensive nutritional assessment including anthropometric measurements, nutritional biological markers, evaluation of dietary intake, and the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) nutrition screening tool.


METHODS
A prospective study.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-five older subjects (53 men and 102 women; mean age = 78 years; range = 56-97 years). These participants were hospitalized in a geriatric evaluation unit (n = 105) or free living in the community (n = 50).


METHODS
Weight, height, knee height, midarm and calf circumferences, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, albumin, transthyretin (prealbumin), transferrin, ceruloplasmin, C-reactive protein, alpha1-acid glycoprotein, cholesterol, vitamins A, D, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, folate, copper, zinc, a 3 day food record combined with a food-frequency questionnaire; the MNA nutritional screening.


RESULTS
The MNA scores have been found to be significantly correlated to nutritional intake (P < .05 for energy, carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, vitamin D, iron, vitamin B6, and vitamin C), anthropometric and biological nutritional parameters (P < .001 for albumin, transthyretin, transferrin, cholesterol, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, 25-OH cholecalciferol zinc). An MNA score between 17 and 23.5 can identify those persons with mild malnutrition in which nutrition intervention may be effective.


CONCLUSIONS
The MNA is a practical, noninvasive, and cost-effective instrument allowing for rapid nutritional evaluation and effective intervention in frail older persons.
Vellas
B
B
Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Gerontology, Toulouse University Hospital, France.
Guigoz
Y
Y
Baumgartner
M
M
Garry
P J
PJ
Lauque
S
S
Albarede
J L
JL
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000886:Anthropometry / Q000379:methods; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D015415:Biomarkers