Nutritional screening tools and anthropometric measures associate with hospital discharge outcomes in older people. (21st January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dent, Elsa; Chapman, Ian; Piantadosi, Cynthia; Visvanathan, Renuka
• Is Part Of: Australasian journal on ageing. Volume 34:Number 1(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: E1
• Page End: E6
• Publication Date: 2014-01-21
• Subjects: Older people -- Periodicals; Older people -- Australia -- Periodicals; Old age -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Pacific Area -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12130
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1440-6381

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ajag12130-sec-5001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aim</title> <p>To examine the association of nutritional screening tools (NSTs) and anthropometric measures with hospital outcomes in older people.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajag12130-sec-5002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>In 172 patients aged ≥70 years admitted to a Geriatric Evaluation Management Unit (GEMU), nutritional status was measured using the Mini‐Nutritional Assessment (MNA), MNA‐short form (MNA‐SF), Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire, calf circumference (CC), mid‐arm circumference (MAC) and BMI.</p> </sec> <sec id="ajag12130-sec-5003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Malnutrition according to the MNA occurred in 53 (31%) patients. Functional change was associated with GNRI (Beta coefficient (β), 95% CI <italic>=</italic> 0.17, 0.001–0.33) and CC (β, 95% CI <italic>=</italic> 0.17, 0.01–0.33); GEMU length of stay was associated with MNA‐SF‐BMI (β, 95% CI <italic>=</italic> −0.02, −0.003 to −0.004) and MNA‐SF‐CC (β, 95% CI <italic>=</italic> −0.02, −0.003 to −0.001). MAC was associated with discharge to higher level of care (OR, 95% CI <italic>=</italic> 0.88, 0.81–0.96).</p> </sec> <sec id="ajag12130-sec-5004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>In hospitalised older people, admission NSTs and anthropometric measures associate with discharge outcomes.</p> </sec> </abstract>