Maine Carlsson

Nutritional screening and risk factors in elderly hospitalized patients: association to clinical outcome?

The aim of this study was to test the intervalidity of three different nutrition screening tools towards a broad population of elderly hospitalized patients. The association with risk factors and mortality was investigated. This is a prospective cohort study in three medical, surgical and geriatric settings, in Denmark and Sweden. Patients >65 years were consecutively included. Patients were screened by mini-nutritional assessment (MNA), malnutrition universal screening tool (MUST) and nutritional risk screening (NRS-2002). Anthropometrics, cognitive test (SPMSQ), as well as a questionnaire investigation regarding eating problems and life situation, were performed. Mortality within 12 months was investigated. In total, 233 patients mean (SD) age 81(7.64) years were included. A large variation in prevalence of nutritional risk was determined between the screening tools, MNA was 68% vs. MUST, 47% and NRS 54%, p < 0.0001. An overall agreement of 67% was seen (κ 0.52-0.55). Risk factors were associated with nutritional risk, including depressive mood. Only handgrip strength, fungus in mouth, serum albumin, CRP and cognitive function were associated with mortality. Fungus had the strongest association (OR 3.7; CI 1.19-11.30). The overall mortality rate was 27% during 12 months. However, none of the three screening tools predicted 12-month mortality. The findings show great variation in the prevalence of nutritional risk of under nutrition both between the tools and the settings. The level of agreement between the tools was moderate, and none of the three tools were capable of predicting 12-month mortality. A functional and psychological evaluation including oral health seems recommendable in elderly patients at nutritional risk.

Dietary intake and olfactory function in patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease: a case-control study.

Abstract Objective To evaluate energy and nutrient intake in newly diagnosed Parkinsons disease (PD) patients and association between olfaction and nutrient density of the diet. Design Baseline data from a prospective cohort study. Subjects Eighty-seven patients and 28 age- and sex-matched controls participated in the study. Methods Dietary intake was assessed by using 3-day dietary records and 24-hour dietary recalls. The Brief Smell Identification Test (B-SIT) was used to test olfaction. Results Patients, compared with controls, had lower intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (P = 0.024) and a higher intake of carbohydrates (P = 0.027) in energy percent (E%). Lower intake of protein (E%) (P = 0.045), and a low nutrient density of folate (P = 0.022), magnesium (P = 0.012), and phosphorus (P = 0.029) were associated with lower B-SIT score in both patients and controls. PD patients had a lower B-SIT score than controls (P < 0.001). Conclusion The results indicate a higher relative contribution of energy from carbohydrates in PD patients. An association between low protein, folate, magnesium, and phosphorus density of the diet and olfaction was seen in the whole population.

Effect of a High‐Intensity Functional Exercise Program on Functional Balance: Preplanned Subgroup Analyses of a Randomized Controlled Trial in Residential Care Facilities

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether age, sex, depression, dementia disorder, nutritional status, or level of functional balance capacity influences the effect of a high‐intensity functional weight‐bearing exercise program on functional balance.

Body composition in Swedish old people aged 65-99 years, living in residential care facilities

It is important to evaluate body composition changes in subjects with an existing multi-system reduction in capacity, as a small decrease in fat-free mass (FFM) can cause serious impairments. The aim of the study was to describe body composition in old people living in institutions. Body composition data were collected within a study of 173 subjects with functional and cognitive impairment, aged 65-99 years, and living in residential care facilities. A bioelectrical impedance spectrometer (BIS) (Xitron Hydra 4200; 5-1000 kHz) was used to assess the amount of both FFM and fat mass (FM) which where adjusted for height. The Harpenden caliper and a tape measure were used to assess body fat, arm-muscle and arm-fat area (mm(2)). A large proportion of the old and functionally impaired population was at risk of malnutrition or already malnourished (63.4% vs. 17.4%) according to Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Women had significantly lower fat-free mass index (FFMI) and higher FMI, inversely related to age, than men. Bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy and anthropometrical measurements correlated but on different levels. In addition the FM% differed between the two methods (46.3% vs. 33.4%).

Poor nutritional status is associated with urinary tract infection among older people living in residential care facilities

AimTo investigate factors associated with poor nutritional status in older people living in residential care facilities.Methods188 residents (136 women, 52 men) with physical and cognitive impairments participated. Mean age was 84.7 y (range 65–100). The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Barthel ADL Index, Mini Menial State Examination (MMSE), and Geriatric Depression Scale were used to evaluate nutritional status, activities of daily living, cognitive status and depressive symptoms. Medical conditions, clinical characteristics and prescribed drugs were recorded. Univariate and multivariate regressions were used to investigate associations with MNA scores.ResultsThe mean MNA score was 20.5 ±3.7 (range 5.5–27) and the median was 21 (interquartile range (IQR) 18.8–23.0). Fifteen per cent of participants were classified as malnourished and 66% at risk of malnutrition. Lower MNA scores were independently associated with urinary-tract infection (UTI) during the preceding year (β = − 0.21, P = 0.006), lower MMSE scores (β = 0.16, P = 0.030), and dependent in feeding (β = − 0.14, P = 0.040).ConclusionThe majority of participants were at risk of or suffering from malnutrition. Urinary tract infection during the preceding year was independently associated with poor nutritional status. Dependence in feeding was also associated with poor nutritional status as were low MMSE scores for women. Prospective observations and randomized controlled trials are necessary to gain an understanding of a causal association between malnutrition and UTI.

Body mass index, Mini Nutritional Assessment, and their association with five-year mortality in very old people.

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence of malnutrition and the association between Body Mass Index (BMI), Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and five-year mortality in a representative population of very old (>85 years) people.DesignA prospective cohort study.SettingA population-based study of very old people in northern Sweden and western Finland, living in institutional care or in the community.ParticipantsOut of 1195 potential participants, 832 were included (mean age 90.2±4.6 years).MeasurementsNutritional status was assessed using BMI and MNA and the association of those two variables with five-year mortality was analyzed.ResultsThe mean BMI value for the whole population was 25.1±4.5 kg/m2, with no difference between genders (P=0.938). The mean MNA score was 22.5±4.6 for the whole sample, and it was lower for women than for men (PA<0.001). Thirteen percent were malnourished (MNA<17) and 40.3% at risk of malnutrition (MNA 17–23.5) according to MNA. Also, 34.8% of those with a MNA score A<17 still had a BMI value ≥22.2 kg/m2. A BMI value A<22.2 kg/m2 and a MNA scoreA<17 were associated with lower survival. The association with mortality seemed to be J-shaped for BMI, and linear for MNA.ConclusionsMalnutrition according to MNA was common, but a substantial portion of those with a low MNA score still had a high BMI value, and vice versa. The association with mortality appeared to be J-shaped for BMI, and linear for MNA. The MNA seems to be a good measurement of malnutrition in very old people, and BMI might be misleading and could underestimate the prevalence of malnutrition, especially in women.

Predicting energy requirement with pedometer-determined physical-activity level in women with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background In clinical practice, in the absence of objective measures, simple methods to predict energy requirement in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) needs to be evaluated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate predicted energy requirement in females with COPD using pedometer-determined physical activity level (PAL) multiplied by resting metabolic rate (RMR) equations. Methods Energy requirement was predicted in 18 women with COPD using pedometer-determined PAL multiplied by six different RMR equations (Harris–Benedict; Schofield; World Health Organization; Moore; Nordic Nutrition Recommendations; Nordenson). Total energy expenditure (TEE) was measured by the criterion method: doubly labeled water. The predicted energy requirement was compared with measured TEE using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland–Altman analyses. Results The energy requirement predicted by pedometer-determined PAL multiplied by six different RMR equations was within a reasonable accuracy (±10%) of the measured TEE for all equations except one (Nordenson equation). The ICC values between the criterion method (TEE) and predicted energy requirement were: Harris–Benedict, ICC =0.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23–0.89; Schofield, ICC =0.71, 95% CI 0.21–0.89; World Health Organization, ICC =0.74, 95% CI 0.33–0.90; Moore, ICC =0.69, 95% CI 0.21–0.88; Nordic Nutrition Recommendations, ICC =0.70, 95% CI 0.17–0.89; and Nordenson, ICC =0.40, 95% CI −0.19 to 0.77. Bland–Altman plots revealed no systematic bias for predicted energy requirement except for Nordenson estimates. Conclusion For clinical purposes, in absence of objective methods such as doubly labeled water method and motion sensors, energy requirement can be predicted using pedometer-determined PAL and common RMR equations. However, for assessment of nutritional status and for the purpose of giving nutritional treatment, a clinical judgment is important regarding when to accept a predicted energy requirement both at individual and group levels.