Combined effects of nutritional status on long-term mortality in patients with non-st segment elevation myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the performance of controlling nutritional status (CONUT) index, geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) scores in predicting the long-term prognosis of patients with non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: A total of 915 patients with NSTEMI (female: 48.4%; mean age: 73.1±9.0 years) who underwent PCI at Adana Numune Training and Research Hospital, Cardiology Clinic between January 2014 and January 2015 were included in this cross-sectional and retrospective study. CONUT, GNRI, and PNI scores were calculated based on the admission data derived from samples of peripheral venous blood. The mean follow-up duration was 64.5±15.4 months. RESULTS: During follow-up (mean 64.5±15.4 months), 179 patients (19.6%) died. The mean GNRI and PNI scores were significantly lower in the nonsurvivor group; however, the median CONUT score was significantly higher in the nonsurvivor group compared with the survivor group. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses have shown that GNRI score has similar performance to the CONUT score and has better performance than PNI score in predicting 5-year mortality. The Kaplan-Meier curve analysis has shown that patients with lower PNI or GNRI had higher cumulative mortality than the patients with higher PNI or GNRI. Also, the patients with higher CONUT scores had higher cumulative mortality compared with those with lower scores. The multivariate analyses have shown that GNRI (HR: 0.973), PNI (HR: 0.967), CONUT score (HR: 1.527), and body mass index (BMI) (HR: 0.818) were independent predictors of the 5-year mortality in patients with NSTEMI. CONCLUSION: In this study, we have shown that CONUT score, GNRI, and PNI values were associated with the long-term mortality in patients with NSTEMI who underwent PCI, and GNRI yielded similar results to CONUT score but was better than PNI.

Geriatric nutritional risk index predicts all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES: Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) might predict the all-cause mortality in patients with heart failure (HF). We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the correlation between GNRI and all-cause mortality in patients with HF. METHODS: We searched the PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases for clinical trials investigating the association between GNRI and all-cause mortality in patients with HF, having the primary endpoint as all-cause mortality. RESULTS: In total, nine studies involving 7,659 subjects were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The results indicated that major risk and moderate risk GNRI (GNRI<92) was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality in elderly patients with HF (hazard ratios [HR] 1.59, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.37-1.85). Low risk GNRI (GNRI<98) group predicted all-cause mortality in elderly HF patients (HR 1.56, 95%CI 1.12-2.18) when compared with the high GNRI value group. A subgroup analysis indicated that the relationship between GNRI and HF might differ based on the subtype of heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: GNRI is a simple and well-established nutritional assessment tool to predict all-cause mortality in patients with HF.

Índice de riesgo nutricional geriátrico en pacientes hospitalizados por enfermedades vasculares periféricas / Geriatric nutritional risk indexes in patients hospitalized due to peripheral vascular diseases

Introducción: El índice de riesgo nutricional geriátrico es un instrumento simple y exacto que permite identificar a pacientes hospitalizados con este riesgo. Objetivo: Valorar la prevalencia de riesgo nutricional en pacientes ingresados por presentar una enfermedad vascular. Métodos: Se evaluaron de forma transversal 102 pacientes mayores de 18 años (65 % hombres) ingresados de forma consecutiva entre octubre y diciembre de 2018 en el Instituto Nacional de Angiología y Cirugía Vascular en La Habana Cuba, independientemente de la enfermedad de base y que estuvieran de acuerdo en participar en el estudio. La variable principal de salida fue la proporción de pacientes con riesgo nutricional: riesgo alto (< 82), moderado (82-92), bajo (93-98) y sin riesgo (> 98); las variables secundarias resultaron la edad, el sexo, el índice de masa corporal y la concentración de albúmina. Resultados: El 12,9 por ciento (intervalo de confianza 95 por ciento: 6,2-19,6); el 16,8 por ciento (9,4-24,2) y el 22,8 por ciento (14,5-31,3) de los pacientes presentaron un riesgo nutricional alto, moderado y ligero, respectivamente. Solo el 47,5 por ciento (37,6-57,4), de los pacientes no presentó riesgo nutricional. La edad y el sexo no mostraron correlación con el riesgo nutricional; la concentración de albúmina y el índice de masa corporal y el índice de riesgo nutricional sí se asociaron de forma importante (R2: 0,98 y 0,59, respectivamente). Conclusiones: La prevalencia de pacientes con riesgo nutricional es elevada en el ámbito hospitalario y puede evaluarse por intermedio del índice de riesgo nutricional geriátrico(AU)

Introduction: The Geriatric nutritional risk index is a simple and accurate instrument that allows identifying hospitalized patients with this risk. Objective: To assess the prevalence of nutritional risk in patients admitted for presenting a vascular disease. Methods: There were evaluated in cross-sectional way 102 patients older than 18 years (65% male) admitted consecutively from October to December, 2018 at the National Institute of Angiology and Vascular Surgery in Havana, Cuba, regardless of the underlying disease and who agreed to participate in the study. The main variable was the proportion of patients with nutritional risk: high risk (<82), moderate (82-92), low (93-98) and without risk (>98); secondary variables were age, sex, body mass index and the concentration of albumin. Results: The 12.9 percent (95 percent confidence interval: 6,2-19,6); the 16.8 percent (9,4-24,2) and the 22.8 percent (14,5-31,3) of the patients had high, moderate, and light nutritional risks, respectively. Only 47.5 percent (37,6-57,4) of the patients did not present nutritional risk. The age and sex showed no correlation with the nutritional risk; the concentration of albumin and body mass index and the index of nutritional risk were significantly associated (R2: 0.98 and 0.59, respectively). Conclusions: The prevalence of patients with nutritional risk is high in the hospital scope and it can be evaluated through the geriatric nutritional risk index(AU)

Value of the baseline Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index in evaluating the prognosis of maintenance peritoneal dialysis patients / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective@#To explore the value of baseline geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) in evaluating the prognosis of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who underwent peritoneal dialysis (PD).@*Methods@#The clinical data of patients who underwent PD catheterization and started PD therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 1, 2013 to December 30, 2018 were collected retrospectively. The follow-up endpoint was death or hemodialysis. The follow-up deadline was March 1, 2019. The GNRI cut-off value was determined according to the ROC curve, and the patients were divided into GNRI≤90.5 group and GNRI>90.5 group. The differences of clinical data and laboratory tests were compared between the two groups. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to compare the difference in PD rate between the two groups during follow-up, and the factors that affecting patients PD withdrawal were analyzed by Cox regression.@*Results@#The GNRI cut-off value was determined to be 90.5 based on the ROC curve. Until the deadline for follow-up, the drop-out rate of GNRI≤90.5 group was significantly higher than the GNRI>90.5 group (35.88% vs 21.58%, P=0.003). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed a higher rate of maintaining PD in the GNRI>90.5 group than that in GNRI≤90.5 group during follow-up (P=0.021). Cox univariate regression showed that male, GNRI and serum Alb were protective factors for PD patients, and Scr was a risk factor. After multiple factors correction, male and GNRI were also the protective factors for PD patients.@*Conclusion@#As an objective indicator of nutritional evaluation, baseline GNRI can be used as a prognostic indicator for PD patients.

The prediction of preoperative nutritional risk index for the clinical outcomes of the patients underwent homologous orthotopic heart transplantation / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective To investigate whether the preoperative nutritional risk index(NRI) can predict the clinical out-comes of the patients underwent homologous orthotopic heart transplantation after 4 weeks.Methods With the use of continu-ous sampling method, a total of 168 adult patients who underwent homologous orthotopic heart transplantation from March 2013 to March 2015 were enrolled in this study.According to the cut-off points of the NRI, the patients were divided into 4 groups (high, moderate, mild and no nutritional risk).4 weeks after transplantation, the data about the length of stay in ICU, infec-tive and non-infective complications were collected , and the predictive value of the preoperative NRI for the clinical outcomes of the patients underwent homologous orthotopic heart transplantation were evaluated after 4 weeks of operation.In addition, the enrolled patients were divided into 2 groups according to their nutritional risk(with or without), and the differences between the two groups were compared.Results Among the patients, the prevalence of high, moderate, and low nutritional risk was 7. 1％, 32.7％ and 9.5％, respectively.The prevalence of infective complications for the 4 groups(from high risk to no risk) was 16.7％、7.3％、6.3％ and 3.5％, and the corresponding prevalence of non-infective complications was 16.7％、9.1％、6.3％ and 2.4％, respectively.In addition, the length of ICU stay of the 4 group was(10.9 ±1.0)days,(7.8 ±0.5)days, (6.7 ±0.7)days and(5.9 ±0.6)days, respectively.There were significant differences of length of ICU stay, infective and non-infective complications among the 4 groups(P<0.05 for all).Totally, there were significant differences of clinical out-comes between patients with and without nutritional risk(P <0.05 for all).Conclusion Preoperative NRI can predict the clinical outcomes regarding infective and no-infective complications as well as length of ICU stay for the adult patients under-went homologous orthotopic heart transplantation .

Effect of the preoperative Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index on the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after radical resection / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of the preoperative Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after radical resection. Methods: Clinicopathological and laboratory data of 315 elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who were older than 60 years and underwent radical resection in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from January 2008 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The GNRI formula was as follows:1.489×serum albumin (g/L)+41.7×(current body weight/ideal body weight). According to the GNRI, patients were divided into the normal and abnormal GNRI groups. The χ2 test was used to analyze the relationship between the GNRI and the clinicopathological char-acteristics of patients. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival rate, and survival analysis was conducted using the Log-rank test. Multivariate survival analysis was conducted using the Cox proportional risk regression model. Results: There were 259 patients in the normal GNRI group (GNRI>98) and 56 patients in the abnormal GNRI group (GNRI≤98). The GNRI was closely correlated with age, tumor location, tumor diameter, serum albumin level, body mass index (BMI), and lymph node metastasis (all P<0.05). The 5-year survival rates in the normal and abnormal GNRI groups were 41.2% and 27.0%, respectively, with statistical significance (P=0.002). Univariate analysis showed that age, tumor diameter, serum albumin level, BMI, GNRI, platelet-lymphocyte ratio, tumor invasion depth, and lymph node metastasis were risk factors for the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the preoperative GNRI (hazard ratio=0.687, 95% confidence interval: 0.487-0.968, P=0.032) was an independent factor affecting the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Subgroup analysis showed that the survival rates in the normal GNRI group were significantly higher than those in the abnormal GNRI group (P=0.036 and 0.010, respectively), regardless of lymph node metastasis. Conclusions: The preoperative GNRI is associated with malignant biological behav-ior in elderly patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and can be used as a useful indicator for predicting survival after radi-cal resection.

Correlation between geriatric nutritional risk index and vascular calcification in non- dialysis chronic kidney disease patients / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To explore the correlation between geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and vascular calcification in non- dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Methods One hundred and forty non- dialysis CKD patients from January 2016 to August 2017 were selected. Abdominal aortic calcification score was evaluated by lateral abdominal radiography, and the GNRI was calculated. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to the GNRI: non-nutritional risk group (37 cases), low nutritional risk group (34 cases), middle nutritional risk group (36 cases) and high nutritional risk group (33 cases). The risk factors leading to vascular calcification were analyzed statistically. Results The abdominal aortic calcification score in non- nutritional risk group, low nutritional risk group, middle nutritional risk group and high nutritional risk group was (3.58 ± 2.41), (10.50 ± 1.86), (16.25 ± 1.89) and (20.54 ± 1.92) scores, and there was statistical difference (P<0.05). Correlation analysis result showed that abdominal aortic calcification score was positively correlated with age and hypertension (r = 0.61 and 0.35, P = 0.001 and 0.003), and negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate and GNRI (r = - 0.36 and - 0.86, P = 0.002 and 0.000). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis result showed that age and GNRI were independent risk factors for abdominal aortic calcification in CKD patients (P<0.01). Conclusions GNRI is negatively correlated with vascular calcification in non- dialysis CKD patients. Strengthening nutritional management may prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

Changes in geriatric nutritional risk index and risk of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events in incident peritoneal dialysis patients

BACKGROUND: Geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a validated nutritional assessment method, and lower GNRI values are closely associated with adverse clinical outcomes in dialysis patients. This study investigated the impact of changes in GNRI during the first year of dialysis on cardiovascular outcomes in incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: We reviewed medical records in 133 incident PD patients to determine GNRI at the start of PD and after 12 months. Patients were categorized into improved (delta GNRI > 0) and worsening/stationary (delta GNRI ≤ 0) groups. The primary outcome was major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs). RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 51.1 months, the primary outcome was observed in 42 patients (31.6%). The baseline GNRI at PD initiation was not significantly associated with MACCEs (log-rank test, P = 0.40). However, the cumulative event-free rate was significantly lower in the worsening or stationary GNRI group than in the improved group (log-rank test, P = 0.004). Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that a worsening or stationary GNRI was independently associated with higher risk for MACCEs (hazard ratio, 2.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.15–5.29; P = 0.02). In subgroup analysis, patients with worsening or stationary GNRI were at significantly greater risk for MACCEs in both the lower (P = 0.04) and higher (P = 0.01) baseline GNRI groups. CONCLUSION: Baseline GNRI was not associated with MACCEs, but patients with deteriorating or stationary nutritional status were at significantly greater risk for MACCEs, suggesting that serial monitoring of nutritional status is important to stratify cardiovascular risk in incident PD patients.

Actual 5-Year Nutritional Outcomes of Patients with Gastric Cancer

PURPOSE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the rarely reported long-term nutritional results of patients with gastric cancer after curative gastrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the prospectively collected medical records of 658 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy with curative intent for gastric cancer from January 2008 to December 2009 and had no recurrences. All patients were followed for 5 years. Nutritional statuses were assessed using measurements of body weight, serum hemoglobin, total lymphocyte count (TLC), protein, albumin, cholesterol, and nutritional risk index (NRI). RESULTS: Patients who underwent total gastrectomy had lower body weights, hemoglobin, protein, albumin, and cholesterol levels. TLC and NRI valued after the first postoperative year (P<0.05), and lower hemoglobin and NRI valued during the fifth postoperative year than patients who underwent distal gastrectomy (P<0.05). Patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy after gastrectomy had lower hemoglobin, protein, albumin, and cholesterol levels. TLC and NRI valued during the first postoperative year, than those who underwent gastrectomy only (P<0.05). Regarding post-distal gastrectomy reconstruction, those who underwent Roux-en-Y had lower cholesterol levels than did those who underwent Billroth-I and Billroth-II reconstruction at the first and fifth years after gastrectomy, respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing total or distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y anastomosis or adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery should be monitored carefully for malnutrition during the first postoperative year, and patients undergoing total gastrectomy should be monitored for malnutrition and anemia for 5 years.

Evaluación nutricional de pacientes con fibrosis quística / Nutritional evaluation of patients with cystic fibrosis

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y prospectivo de 11 pacientes con fibrosis quística, atendidos en la consulta integral del Hospital General Docente "Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" de Santiago de Cuba, desde mayo de 2011 hasta febrero de 2012, para evaluar el estado y el índice de riesgo nutricionales, según el protocolo de evaluación para estos casos, a partir del Consenso de Norteamérica (2005). Se utilizó el método estadístico de comparación de proporciones. La mayoría de los afectados fueron clasificados como desnutridos (63,6 %), todos presentaron riesgo nutricional por bajo peso y 3, desnutrición proteicoenergética severa (27,6 %); también se obtuvo que más de la mitad tuvieron mayor morbilidad e ingresos en el período evaluado. Finalmente, el método de evaluación nutricional fue muy útil para determinar grado y tipo de desnutrición, pues el diagnóstico precoz y la intervención nutricional oportuna mejoran la calidad de vida.

A descriptive and prospective study of 11 patients with cystic fibrosis, assisted in the comprehensive department of "Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso" Teaching General Hospital in Santiago from Cuba was carried out from May, 2011 to February, 2012, to evaluate the status and the nutritional risk index, according to the evaluation protocol for these cases, from the Consensus of North America (2005). The statistical method for comparison of ratios was used. Most of those affected were classified as undernourished (63.6%), all presented nutritional risk due to underweight and 3 had severe protein energy malnutrition (27.6%); it was also obtained that more than half had higher morbidity and admissions in the evaluated period. Finally, the method of nutritional evaluation was very useful to determine degree and type of malnutrition, because the early diagnosis and the opportune nutritional intervention improve the life quality.

Comportamiento de las formulas índice de pronóstico nutricional adaptado (IPNa) de la original de Mullen y el índice de riesgo nutricional (IRN) en pacientes de cirugías electivas / Behavior of adapted nutritional prognostic index (NPIa) formulas and the nutritional risk index (NRI) in elective surgery patients

In 1999 the Mullen and Buzby's formula was adapted, eliminating hypersensitivity skin tests and removing the alfa factor with coefficients similar to the original, obtaining a new formula called adapted Nutritional Prognostic index (aNPI). Objective: To determine the behavior of this new formula and the nutritional risk index with post surgical complications. Methodology: 110 elective patients for surgery were studied by carrying out pre- and post-operational evaluation. Results: the average age was 50 years old; 52 percent showed signs of being overweight or obese; 89,15 percent had normal serum albumin and 60 percent showed a deficit of transferrine; 75ú percent had low risk NPIa and 62,7 percent had a normal NRI. The main surgeries were hysterectomies and cholecystectomies, 92 percent were without complications (p=0,001). It was found a statistically significant relationship between each classification of nutritional index with the presence o absence of complications (p=0.001). When comparing these indexes, the statistical difference is maintained (p= 0.00). The same was observed when comparing the classification ofthis two indexes with complications (p=0.00). When comparing these two indexes, the multiple regression analysis did not show any significant difference with the type of complication, although there was a significant difference with serum albumin levels and the type of surgery. Conclusion: in this study the a NPI and NRI behaved similarly with the majority of variables under study.

En 1999 se adaptó la formula de Mullen y Buzby suprimiendo las pruebas de hipersensibilidad cutánea removiendo el factor alfa con coeficientes similares a la fórmula original, obteniéndose una nueva fórmula denominada índice de Pronóstico Nutricional adaptado (INPa). Objetivo: Determinar el comportamiento de las fórmulas IPNa e IRN, con complicaciones postquirúrgicas. Metodología: Se estudiaron prospectivamente 110 pacientes de cirugías electivas realizando una valoración prequirúrgica y postquirúrgica. Resultados: La edad promedio fue 50 años; 52 por ciento con sobrepeso y obesidad; 89,15 por ciento la albuminemia fue normal, 60 por ciento con déficit de transferrina. El 75,5 por ciento presentaron un IPNa con bajo riesgo, y 62,7 por ciento un IRN normal. Las cirugías predominantes fueron histerectomías y colecistectomías, 92 por ciento sin complicaciones. Se encontró una relación estadísticamente entre la clasificación de cada uno de los índices nutricionales con la presencia o ausencia de complicaciones (p= 0,001). Al comparar estos dos índices, la diferencia estadística se mantiene (p=0,00), sin embargo, el análisis de regresión múltiple no mostró diferencia significativa de éstos índices con el tipo de complicaciones obteniendo significancia con albuminemia y tipo de cirugía. Conclusión: En este estudio el IPNa y el IRN se comportaron de manera semejante en la mayoría de las variables estudiadas.

The Analysis of Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) for Nutritional Assessment and Health Care in Elderly Women

Nutritional assessment for the elderly can identify health status and morbidity. However, development of Nutritional Risk Index (NRI) remains limited for elderly because of difficulties in understanding physiological mechanism of elderly. This study was performed to analyze and develop Nutritional Risk Index for Korean elderly Women (Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, GNRI). Based on literature review, factors for NRI were identified and indices were assessed by a cross-sectional survey. The survey involved Korean elderly women (> or = 60, n = 94) in Gwangju area, and sociodemographics, lifestyle characteristics, health conditions, dietary intakes based on 24h- recall, anthropometric measures (wt, ht, BMI, waist, hip, WHR, body protein, body fat, abdominal fat, and triceps skinfold thickness), and clinical biochemistry parameters (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, prealbumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, ferritin, Zn, Ca, Na, K, Vit E, Vit B12, folate, C-reactive protein) were examined relation to nutritional risk index. Based on literature review and data analyses, three NRIs were categorized (NRI I, NRI II, NRI III) and used for further analysis. NRI I was related to having metabolic syndrome, NRI II was related to serum albumin and body weight, and NRI III was related to food habit and health concerns. Abdominal fat (%) of elderly was correlated with each NRIs. NRI II was correlated with nutritional deficiency and higher tendency of inflammatory response, and NRI III was correlated with nutritional status which tend to be lower on aging (protein, folate, Vit B12). NRI can serve as a useful tools in assessing health risk and nutritional status. Some modification of items in NRI and validity study are need to apply to Korean elderly.

The retrospective study of intrafascial infection from odontogenic infection in oral and maxillofacial region

The Health and Nutritional Status of Low-Income, Alone-Living Elderly / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The nutritional and health status of low-income alone-living elderly(ALE) was assessed in relation to the activity of daily living (ADL) and nutritional risk factors. One hundred and eighty five ALE over 65 years old, living in the Sungnam area, were interviewed in their homes through questionnaires. The results were as follows : 63.6% of the subjects considered themselves in poor the health and only 4.3% of them considered thermselves healthy. 89.7% of the subjects answered that they were suffering from illness and 29.7% were taking medication. The ADL was assessed through 10 checklist items and the average score of the ADL was 84.78+/-11.11(maximum :100) The nutritional risk index(NRI) was evaluated by 12 risk factors and the average score of the NRI was 4.43+/-1.38 (maximum: 12) The scores of the ADL were positively correlated with the scored of the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL)(r=0.7523, p or =5) and nutritionally low risk group(LNRI :NRI<5) according to the USA screening basis, 48.9% of the subjects belonged to the HNRI, But 16.9% of the HNRI and 34.4% of the LNRI belonged to the fourth quartile(Q/sub 0.75) of the ADL, the distribution of which showed significant differences(p<0.05) We suggest that the application of the ADL as a screening tool for nutrition intervention programs for the elderly. Oncemore, further research is needed to develop appropriate checklist items for the ADL and NRI along with the screening basis for the NRI to diagnose the adverse nutritional status of the Korean elderly.

Strategies to Improve Nutrition in the Elderly : An Analysis of Health Related Factors and the Nutritional Risk Index of the Elderly / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The elderly are the most rapidly growing segment of the population in Korea and the largest consumers of expensive medical care. It is reasonable to believe that improving the nutritional status would be beneficial to reducing morbidity and to improving the quality of their lives. This study was conducted to assess the health status and the Nutritional Risk Index of the elderly, and to provide the basic data for the Elderly Nutrition Improvement Program at the Public Health Center. One hundred and forty seven(76 males. 71 females) aged 60 years and over living in Suwon, were assessed with anthropometric measurements, body fat analysis, blood pressure measurements, and a set of about health and other related variables. Over half of them had less than a junior middle school education and were considered low income. The percentage of overweight and obese subjects was 33% by the BMI(Body Mass Index), and the prevalence of hypertension was 28%(males) and 31%(females). They had a lot of self-recognized health problems, the male elderly complained about more than the female elderly. In the case of psychological health status, however, the female elderly showed a higher proportions of depression than the male elderly(p<0.05). In social health status, the elderly had good relationships with friends and collegues, whereas they had poor relationships with their families. They had many nutritional risk factors, and smoking was the most prevalent risk factor for the male elderly and anemia was for the female elderly. The results of this study suggest that Elderly Nutrition Improvement Programs should be planned that can be easily followed. It would be helpful to design a program focusing on individual phychological and social health status, this would increase the efficiency of the program.