Abstract

MENDEZ ESTEVEZ, Eugenia et al. Do our elderly have an adequate nutritional status?. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2013, vol.28, n.3, pp.903-913. ISSN 1699-5198.  https://dx.doi.org/10.3305/nh.2013.28.3.6349.

Determine the prevalence of malnutrition in valid adults older than 75 years old in Xinzo (Spain), and study institutionalization as a possible risk factor of malnutrition. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of prevalence. Sample: 311 people over 75 years. Variables studied: Age, gender, marital status, education level, institutionalization or not, nutritional status (MNA and anthropometric parameters), social support (Duke- Unc scale), Quality of life (Euro- Quol scale); associated diseases, swallowing problems, type of diet and medications. Results: The median age was 82.55 years (SD: 4.83), 51.8% were women. The 52.7% were married, regarding the educational level, 76.8% had completed the primary education. The 17.4% were institutionalized. The median of pathologies was 3 (SD:1.42 and the number of drugs for individual was 4 (SD:2.44). The 54.70% lived with another family or partner. The median of quality of life was 6.84. According to the results of the MNA did not find any case of malnutrition, but a 20.3% of patients present values of risk. Multivariate analysis found relationship between the presence or not of malnutrition and the institutionalization OR = 0.403 (95% CI: 0.186-0.872), the number of pathologies OR = 1.301 (95% CI: 1.032-1.641), quality of life OR = 1.401 (95% CI: 1.145-1.716). Conclusion: Our valid elders are well nourished. The age, a good quality of life and a good support are protective factors. The risk of malnutrition is associated to a higher age, to institutionalization and to higher number of pathologies.

Keywords : Elderly; Malnutrition; MNA; Nutritional status; Institutionalization.

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