[Evaluation of palatability of two special oral diets for institutionalized elderly diabetics, Glucerna SR vs Resource Diabet].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the organoleptic characteristics of two specific nutritional supplements for diabetes (Glucerna SR and Resource Suport) and compare them.


METHODS
An evaluation was made of 456 patients with Type 2 diabetes (most of them receiving OADs or insulin) from 34 centers. They were non-smoking elderly patients (mean age 73 to (71-78) admitted to nursing homes or homes for the aged distributed all over the Spanish territory.


METHODS
Palatability was studied using a modified wine tasting scale assessing 6 parameters (appearance, smell, body, sweetness, aftertaste and taste) that were scored individually, with a total score ranging from 0 (most unfavorable) to 20 (most favorable). Each brand was evaluated in two flavors (vanilla and strawberry) according to a crossover, double-blind design.


RESULTS
A total of 906 evaluable observations were made, and highly statistically significant differences favorable to Glucerna RS were found in all parameters considered both absolutely and relatively, exception for sweetness, for which statistical significance was not reached because it was relatively evaluated. No statistical differences were found between the two flavors (vanilla and strawberry). The only significant confusing factor found was age; the older the age, the more the differences were noted between the two brands.


CONCLUSIONS
Glucerna SR has a better flavor than Resource Suport for institutionalized elderly diabetic patients.
Grau
T
T
Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid. tgrau@grupobbva.net
Almazán Arjona
J A
JA
Luna
A
A
Chamorro Quirós
J
J
Lord Rodríguez
T
T
Casimiro
C
C
D000368:Aged; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D003927:Diet, Diabetic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies