Prevalence of factors associated with malnutrition among acute geriatric patients in Norway: a cross-sectional study.
Data on acute geriatric patients' nutritional status are lacking, and the associations among physical function, sarcopenia, health status and nutritional status are not sufficiently investigated in this population. The aims of this study are to investigate (1) nutritional status and sarcopenia in a group of acute geriatric patients, (2) the association between nutritional status, physical function and sarcopenia in acute geriatric patients, controlling for health status.



A cross-sectional study.



Two acute geriatric hospital wards in Norway.



This study included 120 patients with a mean age of 82.6±8 years. The following inclusion criteria were used: age ≥65 years and admitted to an acute geriatric ward. The exclusion criteria included terminal illness, Mini-Mental State Examination <23, language difficulties or severe aphasia.



Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Physical function was measured using the Barthel activities of daily life index and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Sarcopenia was diagnosed using the mid-arm muscle circumference, gait speed and grip strength, in accordance with the EWGSOP algorithm. Diseases are organised by organ system classification.



On the basis of the MNA classification, nearly one in two patients were at risk of malnutrition, while one in four were malnourished. Sarcopenia was present in 30% of the patients. A multivariate linear regression model was estimated and showed significant independent associations between SPPB score (β 0.64, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.90), sarcopenia (β -3.3, 95% CI -4.9 to -1.7), pulmonary disease (β -2.1, 95% CI -3.7 to -0.46), cancer (β -1.7, 95% CI -3.4 to -0.033) and nutritional status.



Our study shows a high prevalence of risk of malnutrition, malnutrition and sarcopenia. Further, the results indicate that a low total SPPB score, sarcopenia, cancer and pulmonary disease are significantly associated with declines in nutritional status, as measured by the MNA, in acute geriatric patients.
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Ellisiv Lærum
EL
Jacobsen
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Therese
T
Brovold
Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Astrid
A
Bergland
Department of Oncology, Regional Centre for Excellence in Palliative Care, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Health promotion, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Oslo, Norway.
Asta
A
Bye
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D053580:Muscle Strength; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D009752:Nutritional Status; D055948:Sarcopenia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000072797:Walking Speed
Acute geriatric; MNA; Nutritional status; Physical function; Sarcopenia