Open AccessNutritional risk factors in hospitalized nonagenarian patients
Author(s) -
Ludiane Alves do Nascimento,
Grasiela Konkolisc Pina de Andrade,
Juliana Bonfleur Carvalho,
A.L.C.C. Rodrigues,
A.N. Severine
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
braspen journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2764-1546
pISSN - 2525-7374
DOI - 10.37111/braspenj.2020352009
Subject(s) - medicine , malnutrition , underweight , body mass index , population , pediatrics , dysphagia , surgery , overweight , environmental health
In 2050, we estimate that the population of individuals who are 90 years of age orolder will be five times higher than that in 2010. Among elderly people, the disease process cancontribute to a worsening nutritional status. This article aims to examine the associations amongnutritional status and initial diagnoses, muscle mass, routes of feeding, and clinical outcomes.Despite the progressive increase in this population and their particularities, few studies have beenconducted among nonagenarians. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that included patientsover 90 years old admitted to Hospital Sírio Libanês. The following parameters were assessed: calfcircumference (CC), body mass index (BMI), routes of feeding and medical diagnosis. Nutritionalscreening was performed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Results: A total of 79patients were assessed, and they had a median age of 92 years, a median BMI of 22.6 kg/m2and median hospital stay of 13 days. A total of 59.5% of the patients (n=47) were female. Thefrequency of malnutrition (as assessed by the BMI) was 54.4%. There was a positive relationship(71.4%) between CC <31 cm and underweight (as assessed by the BMI) (p=0.032). Malnutrition (classified using the MNA) was significantly associated with dysphagia (77.4%) (p=0,003),the use of supplements (p=0.002) and enteral nutrition therapy (p=0.005). Mortality (25.8%)was also significantly related to malnutrition, showing that nutritional status contributed to poorclinical outcomes in patients (p=0.042). Conclusion: Dysphagia had a positive relationship withmalnutrition because it is a condition that affects food intake. The use of supplements and a higherindication for enteral nutritional therapy both had a positive relationship with malnutrition becausethey are conducts indicated to improve nutritional status, showing that specific nutrition assistancestrategies for this age group can contribute to improved nutritional status in nonagenarians.