title: How is the risk of undernutrition associated with cardiovascular disease among individuals of advanced age?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The oldest old (85+) are the fastest growing population segment in New Zealand. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of death and is associated with various risk factors including risk of undernutrition.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine if there is an association between CVD and nutrition risk in advanced age.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three North Island locations (rural and urban areas) in New Zealand.
  
  
  METHODS
  108 participants aged 85 years (75-79 for Maori).
  
  
  METHODS
  Comprehensive health assessments were undertaken. Clinically manifest CVD was pre-defined and ascertained from interviews and hospitalisation records. Nutrition risk was assessed using a validated questionnaire-Seniors in the Community: Risk evaluation for eating and nutrition, Version II (SCREEN II).
  
  
  RESULTS
  72 participants (67%) had CVD (49% men); 52% of participants had a SCREEN II score < 50. Those with CVD had lower HDL level [median(IQR)] [1.4(0.7) vs. 1.6(0.6)] (p=0.041), and higher waist circumference [97.5(19.1) vs. 89.3(20.6)] (p=0.043) compared to those without CVD. Those with CVD were at no greater nutrition risk than those without CVD (SCREEN II score: [49(7) vs. 51(10)] (p=0.365). Using logistic regression controlling for confounders, SCREEN II scores trended towards an inverse association with CVD (p=0.10).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two thirds of the study participants had CVD and half were at risk of undernutrition. Nutrition risk was mildly associated with CVD. This study provides further evidence that those in advanced age are at risk of undernutrition. Further research is needed to establish how the causes and consequences of CVD are related to nutrition risk.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. r.teh@auckland.ac.nz
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Teh
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wham
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kerse
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Doughty
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D009520:New Zealand; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055105:Waist Circumference
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL