ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & AIMS: Malnutrition is a common problem in the elderly living in nursing homes. A clear understanding of associated factors is missing. The aim of this study was to evaluate prevalence of malnutrition and to determine factors independently associated with malnutrition in this setting. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multi-centre study was conducted in 23 nursing homes in Flanders, Belgium. The nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Data on possible associated factors were collected using validated scales. RESULTS: The study included 1188 elderly residents; 38.7% were at risk for malnutrition and 19.4% were malnourished. The presence of a wound/pressure ulcer, a recent hospitalization (<3 months ago), being involved in a tailored nutritional intervention, and suffering from a lower cognitive state were significantly associated with malnutrition. Receiving additional meals provided by family members was negatively associated with malnutrition. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition is a prevalent problem in nursing homes in Flanders. Systematic screening and well-defined tailored interventions should be further developed and evaluated in this population at risk.
Subject(s)
Malnutrition/epidemiology , Nursing Homes , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Belgium , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Hospitalization , Humans , Male , Malnutrition/complications , Nutrition Assessment , Nutritional Status , Pressure Ulcer/complications , Pressure Ulcer/epidemiology , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
AIMS: This paper is a report of a study conducted to gain a better insight into the current nutritional care practices in Belgian hospital wards for older people, and to study the association between these practices and the prevalence of malnutrition. BACKGROUND: In 1999, the Council of Europe assessed nutritional care practices and support in 12 European countries and showed them to be sparse and inconsistent. At the time of research, no studies had described the association between nutritional care practices and malnutrition prevalence in Belgium. METHODS: In 2007, a cross-sectional survey was carried out in a representative sample of Belgian hospital wards for older people. In total, 2094 patients from 140 wards for older people were included. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of malnutrition in wards for older people was 31.9%. Nutritional care practices such as nutritional screening and assessment, use of a standardized screening instrument and a nutritional protocol were suboptimal. Multilevel analysis revealed that ward characteristics explained for 9.1% whether a patient was malnourished or not. None of the registered nutritional care practices could explain a patient's individual risk. CONCLUSION: Malnutrition is a frequently occurring problem on hospital wards for older people. Increased consciousness among healthcare professionals and hospital policy makers of the importance of nutritional care will contribute to further improvement in care quality.
Subject(s)
Guideline Adherence/standards , Hospital Units/statistics & numerical data , Malnutrition/epidemiology , Malnutrition/therapy , Nutrition Assessment , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Attitude of Health Personnel , Belgium/epidemiology , Clinical Competence , Elder Nutritional Physiological Phenomena/physiology , Epidemiologic Methods , Female , Health Services for the Aged/standards , Health Services for the Aged/statistics & numerical data , Hospital Units/organization & administration , Humans , Length of Stay , Male , Malnutrition/diagnosis , Mass Screening/statistics & numerical data , Nursing Staff, Hospital/supply & distribution , Nutritional Status/physiology , Patient Care Planning , Practice Guidelines as TopicABSTRACT
BACKGROUND & AIMS: In Belgium, general data on the prevalence of malnutrition are lacking. Prevalence rates are necessary to gain insight into the magnitude of malnutrition and to establish a nutrition policy that takes the limited health care resources into account. This study aimed to obtain insight into the prevalence of malnutrition in Belgian elderly hospital wards and to identify factors associated with the malnutrition prevalence. METHODS: A cross-sectional, multi-centre study in elderly wards of Belgian hospitals. The nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment. A standardised questionnaire was used to record demographic data and data on potential factors associated with malnutrition. RESULTS: Out of 2329 elderly patients, 33% suffered from malnutrition. Almost 43% of the patients were at risk of malnutrition and 24% were well-nourished. Having swallowing difficulties, taste difficulties, and being transferred from a nursing home were strongly associated with being malnourished. CONCLUSION: The malnutrition prevalence in Belgian elderly hospitals wards is similar to international figures. Elderly who have swallowing difficulties, taste difficulties, or coming from a nursing home may need adequate nutritional care. Given the negative impact of malnutrition on mortality and morbidity, an emphasis should be placed on an effective nutritional policy.
