ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Knowing the risk status of malnutrition and sarcopenia in institutionalized patients is essential to understand the current context after the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. METHODS: This research used a retrospective, observational study. The results of the Remote Malnutrition APP test (R-MAPP) are described: risk factors for malnutrition (including COVID-19), the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) and the SARC-F, in a selected sample of 402 residents of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain) during 2021. An inferential analysis was performed to determine which factors were related to the MUST (>=2 points) and SARC-F (>=4 points) response measures. With the factors that obtained statistical significance, a multivariate regression model was performed, adjusting for each one. of those factors. RESULTS: Mean age was 84.2 years, 70.1% women. Most frequent risk factor for malnutrition was aging (85.1%). The mean body mass index was 26.5 (SD 11.6). MUST>=2 points was obtained in 16.2%, and a SARC-F>=4 in 69.9%. COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / OR 0.35;95% CI 0.13-0.92;p 0.03) was a protective factor against the risk of malnutrition. The risk of sarcopenia was related to aging (OR 8.16;95% CI 4.13-16.20;p 0.00), COVID-19 (OR 1.96;95% CI 1.17-3.29;p 0.01) and COPD (OR 2.44;95% CI 1.21-4.89;p 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: No relationship is found between COVID-19 and high risk of malnutrition. Aging, COVID-19 and COPD are risk factors for sarcopenia.