The new Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index is a good predictor of muscle dysfunction in institutionalized older patients.
OBJECTIVE
The validity of Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), in predicting nutrition-related risk of complications in the elderly, has been recently underscored. Malnutrition may results also in muscle function impairment. Thus, the present study aims to investigate if GNRI might be a reliable detector of muscle dysfunction in institutionalized older people.


METHODS
In total, 153 institutionalized elderly (71 males, 82 females; mean age+/-SD: 75.2+/-8.4; range: 65-96) were studied in anthropometric parameters, serum albumin concentration and total score on GNRI. Muscle function was assessed by handgrip strength (HG).


RESULTS
Women were significantly older than men and presented lower values of HG and arm muscle area (AMA). In overall population, GNRI was significantly correlated with AMA, HG and strength for centimeter of muscle area (HG/AMA); however, in gender-separated analysis, men presented higher degrees of correlation. After dividing patients in four categories according to GNRI, a more significant difference was detected in HG and HG/AMA rather than the other clinical and anthropometric parameters. Moreover, ANOVA analysis between HG quartiles was highly significant for GNRI, AMA and HG/AMA.


CONCLUSIONS
GNRI is a good predictor of muscle dysfunction, particularly in men, and useful in identifying patients suitable for nutritional support and physical activity.
Cereda
Emanuele
E
Servizio di Nutrizione Clinica e Dietetica, ASL Como, Via Castelnuovo 1, 22100 Como, Italy. emanuele.cereda@virgilio.it
Vanotti
Alfredo
A
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000886:Anthropometry; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D018737:Hand Strength; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012307:Risk Factors; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012737:Sex Factors
D012709:Serum Albumin