Study of the effect of a liquid nutrition supplement on the nutritional status of psycho-geriatric nursing home patients.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the acceptance of a multinutrient liquid nutrition supplement in psycho-geriatric nursing home patients and the effect on weight, plasma nutrients and activities of daily life.


METHODS
Double-blind, placebo-controlled 12-week intervention study.


METHODS
Two nursing homes in Boxtel, The Netherlands.


METHODS
Forty-two (body mass index (BMI) <23 kg/m2 for men or <25 kg/m2 for women) psycho-geriatric nursing home patients aged 60 y or over.


METHODS
Provision with a complete micronutrient-enriched liquid nutrition supplement of 125 ml and 0.6 MJ (135 kcal) or placebo twice daily during daytime between main meals. Study parameters were assessed at 0, 6 and 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME FOR MEASURES: Weight, Barthel index of daily activities, several plasma values (albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, thiamine, thiamine diphosphate (TDF), vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D), bowel function.


RESULTS
The supplement was well accepted. Thirty-five patients completed the intervention period (16 control group; 19 supplement group). Baseline daily nutrient intake was low. A statistically significant improvement was observed for body weight (difference between groups 2.2 kg, P=0.03), and homocysteine, vitamin B1, TDF, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate and vitamin D in the supplement group compared to the placebo group. No significant difference was observed in the Barthel index (mean difference -0.3+/-1.1 for both groups). No difference in occurrence of diarrhoea was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The study shows that nutritional supplementation is well accepted and can improve the nutritional status of psycho-geriatric nursing home patients.


BACKGROUND
Numico Research BV.
Wouters-Wesseling
W
W
Numico Research BV, Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Wouters
A E J
AE
Kleijer
C N
CN
Bindels
J G
JG
de Groot
C P G M
CP
van Staveren
W A
WA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001628:Beverages; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands; D009735:Nursing Homes; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D011446:Prospective Studies