The physical functional capacity of frail elderly persons undergoing ambulatory rehabilitation is related to their nutritional status.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in frail elders undergoing rehabilitation and the association between their nutritional status and physical function.


METHODS
Observational study of new participants undergoing ambulatory rehabilitation.


METHODS
Two Geriatric Day Hospitals (GDH) in Montreal, Quebec.


METHODS
121 women and 61 men.


METHODS
Evaluation of nutritional status, body composition and physical function.


METHODS
The nutritional status was assessed with a composite index based on anthropometric measurements and serum albumin, as well as using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire. Patients were classified as well-nourished, having mild/at risk of malnutrition or malnourished. Body composition was estimated by bioimpedance and handgrip strength and gait speed by standard methods.


RESULTS
13% of patients were found to be mildly malnourished, whereas 6% were malnourished. Malnourished patients were older and had worse cognition, lower BMI, and % body fat (all p<0.05). Malnourished patients and those with mild malnutrition had lower weight, triceps skinfold thickness, muscle and fat mass (all, p<0.003). Handgrip strength was different according to the nutritional status (p=0.034) and correlated with muscle mass (r=0.65, p<0.001). MNA classified 53% of patients as being at risk whereas 3% were malnourished and it correlated with gait speed (r=0.26, p=0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high prevalence of patients in GDH at risk or with mild malnutrition. Being malnourished was associated with worse physical performance, which suggests that a nutritional intervention may be of benefit in improving their physical function.
Chevalier
S
S
McGill University Health Centre, McGill University, Royal Victoria Hospital, 687 Pine Ave West, Room H6.61, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Saoud
F
F
Gray-Donald
K
K
Morais
J A
JA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000273:Adipose Tissue; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005684:Gait; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015995:Prevalence; D011792:Quebec; D012046:Rehabilitation; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D016138:Walking