Nutritional status, as determined by the Mini-Nutritional Assessment, and osteoporosis: a cross-sectional study of an elderly female population.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the relationship between osteoporosis and nutritional status as determined by the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA).


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Stockholm, Sweden.


METHODS
A total of 351 elderly free-living women (mean age 73+/-2.3 years).


METHODS
MNA (range 0-30 points; <17 indicates malnutrition, 17.5-23.5 risk of malnutrition and >or=24 well nourished), measurements of bone mineral density of the left hip and lumbar spine using Hologic QDR 4500, and of the heel using Calscan DEXA-T.


RESULTS
The median MNA score was 27 (range 12.5-30). One woman was classified as malnourished and 7.4% were at risk of malnutrition. Osteoporosis of the femoral neck was observed in 22% and a fracture after the age of 50 was reported by 31% of the participants. The following items in the MNA questionnaire exhibited an increased risk of having osteoporosis in the femoral neck and/or total hip: an MNA score of <27 (odds ratio (OR)=2.09; CI=1.14-3.83); a mid-arm circumference of less than 28 cm (OR=2.97; CI=1.29-6.81); and regular use of more than 3 drugs each day (OR=2.12; CI=1.00-4.50). A body weight of more than 70 kg exhibited a decreased risk of having osteoporosis (OR=0.31; CI=0.14-0.70).


CONCLUSIONS
In general, the nutritional status was good in this population of free-living elderly women. Nevertheless, half of the women who displayed an MNA score <27 points had a twofold increased risk of having osteoporosis.


BACKGROUND
Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm County Council.
Salminen
H
H
Centre for Family Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. helena.salminen@klinvet.ki.se
Sääf
M
M
Johansson
S-E
SE
Ringertz
H
H
Strender
L-E
LE
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology