Validity of the portuguese version of the mini nutritional assessment in brazilian elderly.
BACKGROUND
Malnutrition is common and affects negatively the health of the older adult. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), a nutritional assessment tool allows to identify elders malnourished and at risk of malnutrition. The aim of this study is to validate the Portuguese version of the MNA.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study with 344 Brazilian elderly. The full version of the MNA was performed, also calf circumference (CC), mid arm circumference (MAC) and body fat (BF). Psychometric evaluation was carried out and correlation, diagnostic accuracy and ROC curves were generated.


RESULTS
Construct validity was supported, all four questionnaire dimensions were evidenced in the Principal Component Analysis and also significant Spearman correlation (P < 0.001) were demonstrated. Criterion validity was also evidenced with relevant sensitivity (MAC = 82.8; CI95% = 64.2-94.2) and specificity (CC = 80.0; CI95% = 74.0-85.1). In the ROC curve AUC was excellent (MAC = 0.832; CI95% =0.785-0.873).


CONCLUSIONS
The full MNA demonstrated significant results and sufficient exploratory psychometric properties that supported its validity. It seems to be valid tool to access nutritional status of Brazilian elderly.
Instituto de Nutrição Josué de Castro - INJC, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 - Ed. do Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco J / 2° andar. Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brasil. renata_nut@hotmail.com.
Renata Santos Pereira
RS
Machado
Instituto de Nutrição Josué de Castro - INJC, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 - Ed. do Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco J / 2° andar. Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brasil. dorasantacruz@gmail.com.
Maria Auxiliadora Santa Cruz
MA
Coelho
Universidade Aberta da Terceira Idade - UnATI, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro - UERJ, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. unativeras@gmail.com.
Renato Peixoto
RP
Veras
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019303:Multilingualism; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*