title: Nutritional screening of patients at a memory clinic--association between patients' and their relatives' self-reports.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare individual reports by patients and relatives (proxy) of the Nutritional Form For the Elderly and relate the Nutritional Form For the Elderly scores to Mini Mental Status Examination scores, weight loss, Body Mass Index, five-point Clock Drawing Test and background variables.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Undernutrition or risk of undernutrition is a significant problem among people with dementia. A poor nutritional state increases the risk of infections, delayed convalescence after acute illness and reduced quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Application of the Nutritional Form For the Elderly in addition to clinical nutrition parameters and cognitive tests in a memory clinic among 213 persons referred for assessment due to possible cognitive impairment or dementia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients' and proxy Nutritional Form For the Elderly scores yielded comparative results. Nutritional Form For the Elderly scores ≥6 (medium to high risk of undernutrition) were found in 32% of the patients vs. 43% of proxy. Mean Mini Mental Status Examination score was 23·2 (SD 4·5) and 50% failed the Clock Drawing Test. Involuntary weight loss was reported by 42% of the patients, and in 26% of the patients, Body Mass Index values were below 22 kg/m(2) , indicating undernutrition. By regression analysis, Clock Drawing Test (p = 0·019) and Mini Mental Status Examination (p = 0·04) might predict the risk of reduced nutritional status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study demonstrates that a significant proportion of patients at our memory clinic were at nutritional risk. Corresponding results exist between patients' and proxy Nutritional Form For the Elderly scores; however, the patients assessed themselves more well-nourished as compared to proxy assessment. The discrepancies seem to increase with more severe cognitive impairment. Females and single-dwelling individuals were at higher risk of undernutrition compared to males and cohabitants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-reporting and proxy-rating seem both applicable for nutritional screening among moderate cognitive impaired. Cognitive decline seems to affect the accuracy when patients rate themselves. A reduced Mini Mental Status Examination and/or failed Clock Drawing Test might predict the risk of undernutrition.
authors.affiliation: The Memory Clinic, Sorlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Stoa, Norway.
authors.forename: Anne Liv
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lyngroth
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen and Department of Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Sorlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Stoa, Norway.
authors.forename: Susanne Miriam Sørensen
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hernes
authors.affiliation: The Memory Clinic, Sorlandet Hospital Arendal, Arendal, Stoa, Norway.
authors.forename: Bengt-Ove
authors.initials: BO
authors.lastname: Madsen
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Agder, Grimstad, Norway.
authors.forename: Ulrika
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Söderhamn
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo and Akershus University of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Ellen Karine
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Grov
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D009752:Nutritional Status; D057566:Self Report
keywords: Nutritional Form For the Elderly; cognitive impairment; dementia; malnutrition; nutritional screening; older persons; proxy-rating