FUNCTIONAL LIMITATIONS, FRAILTY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN MALNOURISHED, GERIATRIC PATIENTS AT HOSPITAL DISCHARGE. (11th November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Franz, K; Otten, L; Herpich, C; Kiselev, J; Müller-Werdan, U; Norman, K
• Is Part Of: Innovation in aging. Volume 2(2018)Supplement 1
• Page Start: 718
• Page End: 719
• Publication Date: 2018-11-11
• Subjects: Aging -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; 612.67
• DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igy023.2659
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2399-5300

Abstract

Abstract: Hospitalized, geriatric patients often have poor nutritional status, which is associated with increased complications and a reduction in quality of life. We evaluated functional limitations, frailty status and quality of life in geriatric patients with malnutrition or at nutritional risk at discharge from an acute geriatric clinic. Malnutrition screening was performed in patients without cognitive limitations with the Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form (MNA-SF) (Risk: 8–11 points, Malnutrition: <8 points). Frailty was evaluated according to the Fried criteria (Fried 2001); whereby maximum isometric hand strength (dynamometry) and walk time were measured, and weight loss, exhaustion and physical activity were documented by standardized questioning. Self-reported functional limitations were evaluated with the Longitudinal Amsterdam Aging Study (LASA) questionnaire. Quality of life was recorded using the EQ5D5L-Index (5 dimensions: mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression) and Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS). 204 patients were included in the analysis (77.5 ± 6.3 years, 59.8% women). 106 (52.0%) patients were at nutritional risk and 97 (47.5%) were malnourished. Malnourished patients were more often frail than those at risk (60 (30.8%) vs. 30 (15.4%), p<0.001). Self-reported functional limitations were more pronounced in malnourished patients (17.3 ± 6.2 vs. 14.3 ± 5.6 from max 30 points, p=0.001), while quality of life did not differ (EQ5D5L-Index and EQ-VAS). The majority of patients reported having problems in all dimensions of the EQ5D5L. Malnourished patients had objectively measured as well as subjectively reported limitations at hospital discharge but did not differ in quality of life compared to patients with nutritional risk.