The physical functional capacity of frail elderly persons undergoing ambulatory rehabilitation is related to their nutritional status

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in frail elders undergoing rehabilitation and the association between their nutritional status and physical function.Design: Observational study of new participants undergoing ambulatory rehabilitation.Setting: Two Geriatric Day Hospitals (GDH) in Montreal, Quebec.Participants: 121 women and 61 men.Intervention: Evaluation of nutritional status, body composition and physical function.Measurements: The nutritional status was assessed with a composite index based on anthropometric measurements and serum albumin, as well as using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire. Patients were classified as well-nourished, having mild/at risk of malnutrition or malnourished. Body composition was estimated by bioimpedance and handgrip strength and gait speed by standard methods.Results: 13% of patients were found to be mildly malnourished, whereas 6% were malnourished. Malnourished patients were older and had worse cognition, lower BMI, and % body fat (all p<0.05). Malnourished patients and those with mild malnutrition had lower weight, triceps skinfold thickness, muscle and fat mass (all, p<0.003). Handgrip strength was different according to the nutritional status (p=0.034) and correlated with muscle mass (r=0.65, p<0.001). MNA classified 53% of patients as being at risk whereas 3% were malnourished and it correlated with gait speed (r=0.26, p=0.001).Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of patients in GDH at risk or with mild malnutrition. Being malnourished was associated with worse physical performance, which suggests that a nutritional intervention may be of benefit in improving their physical function. This study was supported by the Helen Hutchinson Foundation of the Division of Geriatric Medicine, Research Institute of the Montreal General Hospital     

Use of the mini nutritional assessment tool in elderly people from long-term institutions of Southeast of Brazil

Background: the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is a multidimensional method of nutritional evaluation that allows the diagnosis of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition in elderly people, it is important to mention that this method has not been well studied in Brazil.Objective: to verify the use of the MNA in elderly people that has been living in long term institutions for elderly people.Design: transversal study.Participants: 89 people (≥ 60 years), being 64.0% men. The average of age for both genders was 73.7±9.1 years old, being 72.8±8.9 years old for men, and 75.3±9.3 years old for women.Setting: long-term institutions for elderly people located in the Southeast of Brazil.Methods: it was calculated the sensibility, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. It was data to set up a ROC curve to verify the accuracy of the MNA. The variable used as a “standard” for the nutritional diagnosis of the elderly people was the corrected arm muscle area because it is able to provide information or an estimative of the muscle reserve of a person being considered a good indicator of malnutrition in elderly people.Results: the sensibility was 84.0%, the specificity was 36.0%, the positive predictive value was 77.0%, and the negative predictive value was 47.0%; the area of the ROC curve was 0.71 (71.0%).Conclusion: the MNA method has showed accuracy, and sensibility when dealing with the diagnosis of malnutrition and risk of malnutrition in institutionalized elderly groups of the Southeastern region of Brazil, however, it presented a low specificity.     

Rheumatoid cachexia,central obesity and malnutrition in patients with low-active rheumatoid arthritis: feasibility of anthropometry,Mini Nutritional Assessment and body composition techniques

Background and aims  The concurrent decrease in fat free mass (FFM) and increase in fat mass (FM), including central obesity, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be related to increased cardiovascular morbidity as well as to functional decline. The objectives of this study were to evaluate body composition and nutritional status in patients with RA and the feasibility of bioelectrical impedance (BIA) to detect rheumatoid cachexia. Methods  Eighty RA outpatients (76% women), mean age 61 (range 22–80) years and with mean disease duration of 6 (range 1–52) years, were assessed by body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), BIA and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Results  Fat free mass index (FFMI; kg/m²) was low in 26% of the women and in 21% of the men. About every fifth patient displayed concomitant low FFMI and elevated fat mass index (FMI; kg/m²), i.e. rheumatoid cachexia. BMI and MNA were not able to detect this condition. Sixty-seven percent had increased WC. Reduced FFM was independently related to age (p = 0.022), disease duration (p = 0.027), ESR (p = 0.011) and function trendwise (p = 0.058). There was a good relative agreement between DXA and BIA (FM r ² = 0.94, FFM r ² = 0.92; both p < 0.001), but the limits of agreement were wide for each variable, i.e. for FM −3.3 to 7.8 kg; and for FFM −7.9 to 3.7 kg. Conclusion  Rheumatoid cachexia and central obesity were common in patients with RA. Neither BMI nor MNA could detect this properly. There was a good relative agreement between DXA and BIA, but the limits of agreement were wide, which may restrict the utility of BIA in clinical practice. This work has in part been presented at the Congress of American College of Rheumatology in San Francisco, October 2008.     

Compliance with an oral hyperproteic supplement with fibre in nursing home residents

Background: Undernutrition is a common problem in older individuals that may be related to a low protein dietary intake. Oral supplements may improve the health status in this population, but their use may be limited by compliance and side effects.Objectives To evaluate effects of an oral supplement of protein and fibre on compliance, on nutritional status, and on intestinal habits in nursing home residents.Method: A prospective observational study was carried out in 66 Spanish nursing homes. 358 subjects undernourished or at risk of undernutrition requiring nutritional supplements. After informed consent was given, subjects received 2 daily cartons (400 ml) of a liquid oral supplement rich in protein and fibre along 3 months. Supplement intake compliance was measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI). Changes in intestinal habits and digestive symptoms were also recorded, as well as subject’s supplement acceptance.Results: Compliance with the supplement intake was 97.46% at 6 weeks and 96% at 12 weeks of follow-up. Significant changes (p<0.0001) were found in nutritional status: mean value of MNA improved from baseline (MNA=14.0±3.9) after 12 weeks (MNA=17.0±4.0), as well as weight (+2.1 kg, a 4.1% increase). The BMI did not change significantly (BMI=21.43 at baseline; BMI= 21.78 at 12 weeks). Undernutrition prevalence (MNA<17) decreased from 76.4 to 46.6% (p<0.0001). Intestinal habits showed a significant improvement in defecation frequency (from 4.7 to 6.1 stools per week, p<0.0001) and faeces consistency (from 53.2% to 74.5% reporting formed soft stools, p<0.0001). 48.9% of the subjects considered to have better intestinal habits after 6 weeks and 50.5% after 3 months of supplementary food intake, the rest reporting no change. Vomits and flatulence were also significantly reduced (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The administration of an oral hyperproteic supplement with fibre in aged subjects who are undernourished or at risk of malnutrition can be done in nursing homes with a high level of compliance. Supplements improve their nutritional status and their intestinal habits.     

Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is Rather a Reliable and Valid Instrument to Assess Nutritional Status in Iranian Healthy Adults and Elderly with a Chronic Disease

This study aimed to evaluate the usefulness of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) to assess nutritional status of Iranian population and to compare its psychometric properties between patients suffering from a chronic disease, healthy elderly and younger adults. As a group of elderly with a chronic disease, 143 Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and as the control group, 467 healthy persons were enrolled. The Persian-translated version of MNA was filled-up through interviews together with anthropometric measurements. Cronbach’s α coefficient of entire MNA was 0.66 and 0.70 in healthy individuals and PD patients, respectively. The total MNA score could significantly discriminate the ones with BMI ≥ 24kg/m² in both groups. In general, MNA was a valid and reliable tool for nutritional assessment. We acknowledge study limitations including lack of serum measurements and a selection bias towards mild-to-moderate PD. MNA is a more reliable tool in older healthy individuals and rather younger elderly with PD.     

Nutritional status and oxidative stress in an elderly Sardinian population

Weight loss and overweight/obesity-frequent consequences of malnutrition-may impair functional status and worsen concomitant morbidities in the elderly, often through changes in oxidative balance. In order to verify the relationships between these factors, a group of elderly people living on the island of Sardinia (Italy) underwent health and nutritional status assessment and oxidative balance evaluation. The elderly subjects had significantly higher d-ROMs test and body mass index (BMI) values than controls (d-ROMs 325.4 ± 66.3 vs. 295.4 vs 58-9 CARR U, p = 0.006; BMI 28.0 ± 4.6 vs. 21.7 ± 1.4 kg/m², p < 0.0001). The risk of malnutrition in the elderly subjects was evaluated with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), which showed that 32 of the 111 elderly subjects (28.8%) were at risk of malnutrition, of whom 11 (34%) were overweight and 10 (31-2%) obese. Oxidative stress was negatively and significantly correlated with nutritional status. Oxidative stress may precede malnutrition, even in the absence of weight loss. Routine evaluation of nutritional status and oxidative balance in the elderly may help identify an early risk of malnutrition so that treatment can be personalized.     

Mini Nutritional Assessment in geriatric rehabilitation: Inter-rater reliability and relationship to body composition and nutritional biochemistry

Aim: To determine the inter‐rater reliability of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and relationship with body composition and nutritional biochemistry among older Australians undergoing rehabilitation. Methods: Thirty‐eight adults aged ≥65 years were prospectively and consecutively recruited from an Australian rehabilitation ward. Two dietitians independently administered the 18‐item MNA to determine inter‐rater reliability. MNA classifications (well nourished, at risk of malnutrition, malnourished) were compared with body composition (using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry) and serum albumin. These analyses were also performed for the short‐form version of the MNA (six items). Results: In this cross‐sectional study, inter‐rater reliability of the 18‐item MNA score, estimated by the intraclass correlation coefficient, was 0.833, while inter‐rater reliability estimated by the weighted kappa index was 0.53. The two raters reached agreement on MNA classification for 26 of 38 cases (68%). Women classified as malnourished/at risk of malnutrition using the 18‐item MNA had lower total body fat (11 kg vs 29 kg, P < 0.01) and per cent body fat (25% vs 40%, P < 0.01), compared with women classified as well nourished. Similar findings were not apparent for men, although men classified as malnourished/at risk of malnutrition had lower serum albumin (32 g/L vs 36 g/L, P = 0.04) compared with men classified as well nourished. Similar findings were evident for the short‐form version of the MNA. Conclusion: The MNA was found to be useful for identifying older women with lower body fat in the Australian rehabilitation setting. The 18‐item MNA score has substantial inter‐rater reliability, and fair inter‐rater reliability when used according to the classifications. Inclusion of subjective and self‐reported items in surveys can be problematic for optimal reliability as can the use of such items in a subject population that is experiencing rapid progress in recovery.     

应用前白蛋白检测营养风险筛查2002、主观全面评定和微小营养评定的灵敏度和特异度：探索性、前瞻性、多中心临床研究

目的 探索应用前白蛋白水平为参考标准检测营养风险筛查2002( NRS 2002)、主观全面评定(SGA)及微小营养评定(MNA)的灵敏度和特异度.方法 自2010年11月至2011年3月,在3个医院的肿瘤科住院患者中采用连续定点抽样方法,将符合入选条件的126例食管癌患者纳入本研究.于入院次日分别采用NRS 2002、SGA及MNA工具由经过培训的营养师、肿瘤内科医师进行营养筛查或评定.以前白蛋白低于180 g/L为营养不良(不足)的参考标准,分析上述3种工具的灵敏度、特异度.结果 126例符合入选条件的患者均完成NRS 2002、SGA及MNA的筛查或评定.NRS 2002、SGA及MNA检出的有营养风险和营养不良(不足)率分别为67.0％、46.2％、64.8％.以与临床结局有关的前白蛋白为参考标准,NRS 2002、SGA及MNA的灵敏度分别为78.2％、58.2％、89.1％,特异度分别为50.0％、72.2％、27.8％.结论 3种工具中,NRS 2002检出的是营养风险,而SGA和MNA检出的是营养不良(不足),3种工具之间有不同特点.由于单一的前白蛋白不是一个适当的参考标准,不能用于3种工具的比较.但NRS 2002有关临床结局,适用于住院患者.需要进一步进行以临床结局为检测标准的多中心研究.     

Full Mini Nutritional Assessment and Prognosis in Elderly Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Objective: Malnutrition is observed frequently in elderly patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). Full Mini Nutritional Assessment (full MNA) is a useful method of measuring nutrition status for elderly person. The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between full MNA and the mortality of elderly patients with pulmonary TB.

Methods: We evaluated 53 elderly patients with pulmonary TB. The nutrition risk assessment was carried out using full MNA.

Results: A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated for further analysis of the prognostic value of full MNA score. The area under the curve was 0.856 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.751–0.961). We used the maximum Youden index to obtain optimal cutoff values for full MNA score for prognostic assessment in elderly patients with pulmonary TB. For predicting the risk of mortality, the optimal cutoff value for full MNA score was 13.75. Based on this cutoff value, the Cox proportional hazard model was applied to assess the ability of full MNA score < 14 to predict the prognosis of elderly patients with pulmonary TB. Multivariate analysis identified age (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.114, 95% CI, 1.018–1.219, p = 0.019) and full MNA score < 14 (HR = 9.038, 95% CI, 1.064–76.768, p = 0.044) to be significant independent prognostic factors for survival.

Conclusion: Severe malnutrition, as defined by full MNA score < 14, was a predictor of high mortality.     

简易营养评价法在评价老年糖尿病患者营养状况中的应用

目的探讨简易营养评价法（MNA）在评价老年糖尿病患者营养状况时的敏感性和特异性。方法对116例住院老年糖尿病患者进行MNA问卷调查、人体测量、生化检测和24小时膳食回顾调查。分析MNA用于评价老年糖尿病患者营养状况的敏感性和特异性。结果MNA问卷调查显示住院老年糖尿病患者28．4％营养不良，32．8％具有营养不良危险，38．8％营养良好。当以MNA〈17为界点时，MNA的敏感性分别为75．0％、64．7％和65．8％，特异性分别为76．9％、77．8％和79．5％；当以MNA≤23．5为界点时，MNA的敏感性分别增加为100％、100％和97．4％，特异性下降至43．2％、45．5％和50．0％。MNA与体质指数（r=0．474，P〈0．01）、三头肌皮褶厚度（r=0．369，P〈0．01）、上臂肌围（r=0．479，P〈0．01）、血清白蛋白（r=0．613，P〈0．01）、血红蛋白（r=0．335，P〈0．01）和总淋巴细胞计数（r=0．433，P〈0．01）均呈显著正相关。结论老年糖尿病患者营养不良的发生率高。MNA是一种用于老年糖尿病患者营养状况评价的可靠、灵敏方法。     

呼吸衰竭患者的营养状态及营养支持疗法

介绍呼吸衰竭患者营养不良的发生率,类型及发病原因,营养不良对患者免疫,呼吸肌功能,通气驱动等生理功能及预后的影响。呼吸衰竭患者营养状态的评价及进行营养疗法的指征。营养支持疗法的原则及呼吸衰竭患者营养疗法的特殊要求。营养支持疗法可能产生的危害与处理以及营养疗法的疗效。认为正确估价呼吸衰竭患者的营养状态,给予恰当的营养疗法,是提高此类患者存活率和生活质量的重要一环。     

微型营养评价法评价慢病住院老人的营养状况

[目的]用MNA法调查老年慢性住院患者的营养状况,并比较不同营养状况患者的传统营养评价指标的差异.[方法]随机抽取141例住院的慢性疾病的老年患者,用MNA对其进行营养状况评价,并收集和比较其常用的营养评价参数进行分析.[结果]慢性疾病的老年患者营养不良、营养不良危险的发生率分别为36.88%和26.95%,而营养状况良好的患者只占36.17%;对3种不同营养状况的患者常用营养指标分析后发现:3组患者BMI、ALB、HB、Na 、Ca2 、TLC和K 差异有统计学意义(P<0.01或P<0.05),营养状况好的患者,其BMI、ALB、HB和TLC较高,而TG和TC无明显统计学意义.[结论]慢性疾病老年住院患者营养不良和营养不良危险的发生率较高,营养不良和营养不良危险患者的常用营养评价指标也会下降.     

Assessing the prevalence of malnutrition with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) in a nationally representative sample of elderly Taiwanese

Objective: The study was to determine whether the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) could be used as a tool to effectively identify malnourished elderly in a non-Caucasian population.Design: The study was a part of a population-based multistage random sample survey.Setting: In-home face-to-face interviews.Participants: Randomly selected 1583 men and 1307 women, 65 years or older, in Taiwan.Measurements: Assessing nutritional risk status of participants with the Mini Nutritional Assessment.Results: The prevalence of malnutrition is 1.7% in elderly men and 2.4% in elderly women, 65 years or older. The proportion at risk of malnutrition is 13.1%.Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to apply the MNA to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in the elderly in a nationally representative sample. Results suggest that the MNA can identify malnourished elderly in a non-Caucasian population. However, it appears that the functionality of the instrument can be improved by adapting population-specific anthropometric cutoff standards. Former Taiwan Provincial Institute of Family Planning.     

维持性血液透析病人的营养状况

目的 :评价维持性血液透析 (MHD)病人的营养状况。　方法 :对 4 6例MHD病人进行膳食调查、人体测量及生化指标包括体重、肱三头肌皮皱厚度 (TSF)、上臂肌围 (AMC)、血清总蛋白 (TP)、白蛋白 (Alb)、前白蛋白 (PA)、转铁蛋白 (TF)检测 ,计算实际体重占理想体重百分比 (IBW % ) ,并作营养评价。　结果 :①MHD病人能量摄入普遍低于 12 5 .4kJ/ (kg·d) ,蛋白质摄入基本达到 1.0g/ (kg·d) ;②不同指标评估营养不良的发生率分别为IBW 9.13% ,TSF 71.74 % ,AMC 5 8.70 % ,Alb 30 .4 3% ,TF 82 .6 1%。各项指标均属正常者仅占 6 .5 2 %。　结论 :综合指标评价结果表明 ,本组病人有 93.4 8%存在不同表现和不同程度的营养不良。MHD病人进行常规的营养评价及合理的营养指导对预后有积极意义