Short-term oral nutritional intervention with protein and vitamin D decreases falls in malnourished older adults.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effects of a short-term nutritional intervention with protein and vitamin D on falls in malnourished older adults.


METHODS
Randomized controlled trial.


METHODS
From hospital admission until 3 months after discharge.


METHODS
Malnourished older adults (≥ 60) newly admitted to an acute hospital (n = 210).


METHODS
Participants were randomized to receive nutritional intervention (energy- and protein-enriched diet, oral nutritional supplements, calcium-vitamin D supplement, telephone counseling by a dietitian) for 3 months after discharge or usual care.


METHODS
Number of participants who fell, fall incidents, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and dietary intake. Measurements were performed on admission to hospital and 3 months after discharge.


RESULTS
Three months after discharge, 10 participants (10%) in the intervention group had fallen at least once, compared with 24 (23%) in the control group (hazard ratio = 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.19-0.86). There were 57 fall incidents (16 in the intervention group; 41 in the control group). A significantly higher intake of energy (280 kcal, 95% CI = 37-524 kcal) and protein (11 g, 95% CI = 1-25 g) and significantly higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (10.9 nmol/L, 95% CI = 2.9-18.9 nmol/L) were found in participants in the intervention group than in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
A short-term nutritional intervention consisting of oral nutritional supplements and calcium and vitamin D supplementation and supported by dietetic counseling in malnourished older adults decreases the number of patients who fall and fall incidents.
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, VU University Medical, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. F.Neelemaat@vumc.nl
Floor
F
Neelemaat
Paul
P
Lips
Judith E
JE
Bosmans
Abel
A
Thijs
Jaap C
JC
Seidell
Marian A E
MA
van Bokhorst-de van der Schueren
D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D044623:Nutrition Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage
D004044:Dietary Proteins; D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D