Evaluation of Malnutrition Status and Effective Factors in Elderly Patients in Internal Medicine Clinic: Descriptive Research


Sözer T., Yağmur C., Kaya Başar E.

Türkiye Klinikleri Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, vol.7, pp.1-10, 2021 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

Abstract

Objective: One of the most important geriatric syndromes frequently encountered in old age is nutritional disorders. Malnutrition can also be seen frequently in hospitalized elderly patients. This study was planned to evaluate the malnutrition status and malnutrition factors associated with the hospitalization in elderly patients who applied to a university hospital internal medicine clinic. Material and Methods: Malnutrition status of 100 elderly patients admitted to the Internal Medicine Clinic of Akdeniz University Medical Faculty Hospital was evaluated and the factors that may affect the malnutrition status were investigated. Demographic characteristics and health status of individuals were examined, and some anthropometric measurements were made. Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) was applied to determine the nutritional status of the elderly. Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF) was used to determine the depression level of the patients. Results: In the nutritional status assessment with the MNA-SF scale, it was determined that 21% of the elderly patients had malnutrition, 53% had a risk of malnutrition. There was a statistically significant differences between malnutrition status and body weight (p<0.0001), upper middle arm circumference, and height (p<0.05) was found in the elderly, but no relationship was found between malnutrition status and body mass index (p>0.05). A statistically significant relationship was found between malnutrition status and depression status determined by GDS-SF (p<0.0001). Conclusion: It is thought that the evaluation and follow-up of the nutritional status of the hospitalized elderly with anthropometric measurements and malnutrition screening tests can help improve their quality of life, treatment of existing diseases and recovery processes.