Factors contributing to malnutrition in patients with P arkinson's disease

Our objective in this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and to identify clinical, psychosocial, and nutritional factors contributing to malnutrition in K orean patients with P arkinson's disease. We used a descriptive, cross‐sectional study design. Of 102 enrolled patients, 26 (25.5%) were malnourished and 27 (26.5%) were at risk of malnutrition based on M ini‐ N utritional A ssessment scores. Malnutrition was related to activity of daily living score, H oehn and Y ahr stage, duration of levodopa therapy, B eck Depression I nventory and S pielberger's A nxiety Inventory scores, body weight, body weight at onset of P arkinson's disease, and body mass index. On multiple logistic regression analysis, anxiety score, duration of levodopa therapy, body weight at onset of P arkinson's disease, and loss of body weight were significant factors predicting malnutrition in P arkinson's disease patients. Therefore, nutritional assessment, including psychological evaluation, is required for P arkinson's disease patients to facilitate interdisciplinary nutritional intervention for malnourished patients.