Reduced appetite. A predictor for undernutrition in aged people.
BACKGROUND
Malnutrition is a common condition among aged, hospitalised patients, which may be due to lack of appetite in the same group. It is uncertain, however, the relationship between a reduced appetite and the nutritional status.


OBJECTIVE
Assess the prevalence of reduced appetite, and to study the relationship between a reduced appetite and the nutritional status.


METHODS
A randomised population survey among elderly: one group recruited from patients recently admitted for acute disease or exacerbation of disease, and one group recruited from their homes.


RESULTS
Reduced appetite was present in 43% in the hospital group, compared to 15% in the home living group. Seventy-one % of those with reduced appetite were undernourished, while 44% with normal appetite were undernourished. The sensitivity for malnutrition was 0.55, while the positive predictive value was 0.71.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduced appetite is common among aged people in hospital, and is a predictor for undernutrition.
Mowé
M
M
Dept. of Medicine, Aker University Hospital, Oslo, Norway. morten.mowe@os.telia.no
Bøhmer
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D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001066:Appetite / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011446:Prospective Studies