Background: The risk of malnutrition is high in low income elderly because of their prior exposure to disease risks and infections.
Objective: The objective of this study was to gain an understanding of the risk of malnutrition in low income elderly residing in care homes and to analyze the potential impacting factors.
Methods: By means of purposive sampling and with a structured questionnaire the study interviewed 109 residents of a low income care home in Central Taiwan. Key anthropometric indicators were measured. Serum biomarkers were obtained from routine checkups performed by the institution. The interview elicited personal basic information, health-related data and answers to questions in the modified MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment, MNA-TI and TII), CNAQ (Council on Nutrition appetite questionnaire), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), GDS (Geriatric Depression Scale) and MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination). Results were analyzed with SPSS 12.0 Statistical Software.
Results: Two modified versions of the MNA produced comparable results in grading the nutritional status of the residents. The MNA-TI classified 5.5% of residents malnourished, 33.9% at risk of malnutrition and 60.6% normal whereas MNA-TII classified 6.4, 31.2 and 62.4%, respectively. Pearsons' correlation analysis showed that the MNA scores were significantly correlated with ADL, calf circumference, GDS, MMSE and CNAQ scores. These results suggest both versions of the modified MNA can effectively grade the nutritional status of the low income elderly. The MNA-TII would have certain advantages because it does not require the measurement of weight and height for computing BMI. Results also showed that the modified MNA can predict one-year follow-up hospital length of stay of these residents.
Conclusion: The modified MNA, especially MNA-TII, is a useful tool for grading the nutritional status of elderly low income care-home residents. Routine assessment of nutritional status of the elderly is a key step in detecting emerging malnutrition. The process enables timely intervention to stop full bloom malnutrition and may improve the quality of life of the elderly and save the healthcare cost in the long run.
