title: Energy and Protein Intake, Anthropometrics, and Disease Burden in Elderly Home-care Receivers--A Cross-sectional Study in Germany (ErnSIPP Study).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To date, no study has examined the nutritional status and disease burden of elderly home-care receivers living in Germany. Aim of this cross-sectional study was, first, to assess disease burden and nutritional status, denoted in anthropometrics, and, second, to investigate associations between anthropometrics and disease burden.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional multi-centre study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Home-care receivers living in three urban areas of Germany in 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  353 elderly (>64 years) in home care (128 males aged 79.1 ±7.8 years, 225 females aged 82.0 ±7.5 years).
  
  
  METHODS
  Nutritional status was assessed by body mass index (BMI), mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and calf circumference (CC). Medical conditions were assessed in personal interviews. A 3-day prospective nutrition diary was kept. Metric data are reported as mean±SD or median (interquartile range), p<0.05 was considered significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most participants were substantially (59%), and 11% severest in need of care. The seniors suffered from 5 (4-7) chronic diseases; dementia, depression, stroke, and respiratory illness were most prevalent (each 20-40%). More than one-third of participants had only moderate or poor appetite, nearly half were unable to eat independently. Chewing problems were reported for 52% of study participants, and more than one quarter of elderly had swallowing problems. Daily mean energy intake was 2017±528 kcal in men (n=123) and 1731±451 kcal in women (n=216; p<0.001). Mean protein intake amounted to 1.0 g/kg body weight. Mean BMI was 28.2±6.2 kg/m² (n=341), 14% of seniors had a BMI <22 kg/m² (including 4% with BMI <20 kg/m²). Critical MUAC (<22 cm) was indicated in 6% of subjects; and CC <31 cm in 11% of men, 21% of women (p<0.05). After adjusting for sex and age, BMI, MUAC and CC were negatively associated with high care level, hospitalization in the previous year, nausea/vomiting, prevalence of dementia, poor appetite, and eating difficulties like dependency, chewing and swallowing problems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend to pay special attention to the nutritional status of elderly persons in home-care exhibiting named disease burden.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Stephanie Lesser, IEL-Nutritional Physiology, Bonn University, Endenicher Allee 11-13, D-53115 Bonn, Germany; phone: ++49-(0)228-732018; fax: ++49-(0)228-733217, email: slesser@uni-bonn.de.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pohlhausen
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uhlig
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kiesswetter
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Diekmann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heseker
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Volkert
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stehle
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lesser
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000886:Anthropometry; D001066:Appetite; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D015930:Diet Records; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006699:Home Care Services; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins