A Prospective, Observational Study of the Effect of a High-Calorie, High-Protein Oral Nutritional Supplement with HMB in an Old and Malnourished or at-Risk-of-Malnutrition Population with Hip Fractures: A FracNut Study.

BACKGROUND: Hip fractures are prevalent among older people, often leading to reduced mobility, muscle loss, and bone density decline. Malnutrition exacerbates the prognosis post surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a 12-week regimen of a high-calorie, high-protein oral supplement with ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate (HC-HP-HMB-ONS) on nutritional status, daily activities, and compliance in malnourished or at-risk older patients with hip fractures receiving standard care. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 270 subjects ≥75 years of age, residing at home or in nursing homes, malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, and post hip fracture surgery, received HC-HP-HMB-ONS for 12 weeks. Various scales and questionnaires assessed outcomes. RESULTS: During the 12 weeks of follow-up, 82.8% consumed ≥75% of HC-HP-HMB-ONS. By week 12, 62.4% gained or maintained weight (+0.3 kg), 29.2% achieved normal nutritional status (mean MNA score +2.8), and 46.8% improved nutritional status. Biochemical parameters improved significantly. Subjects reported good tolerability (mean score 8.5/10), with 87.1% of healthcare providers concurring. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of HC-HP-HMB-ONS markedly enhanced nutritional status and biochemical parameters in older hip-fracture patients, with high compliance and tolerability. Both patients and healthcare professionals expressed satisfaction with HC-HP-HMB-ONS.

Prevalence of sarcopenia in patients older than 75 years admitted for hip fracture.

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture in the population aged 75 years and older is one of the most disabling pathologies. Likewise, disease related malnutrition (DRM) and sarcopenia are two frequent diagnoses in this age group, whose prevalence may be increased in patients with hip fracture. AIMS: To determine the prevalence of malnutrition and/or sarcopenia in patients admitted for hip fracture and evaluate the existence of malnutrition related to disease and sarcopenia, and the differences between the sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic group. METHODS: 186 patients aged 75 years or over, hospitalised for hip fracture from March 2018 to June 2019 were included. Demographic, nutritional and biochemical variables were collected. Nutritional screening was carried out with the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA), the presence of DRM was established with The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. For sarcopenia screening, the Strength, Assistance with walking, Rising from a chair, Climbing stairs and Falls (SARC-F) was used and the diagnosis of sarcopenia was made using the criteria from the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) reviewed in 2019 (EWGSOP2). Muscle strength was determined by hand-grip strength, body composition by measurement of bioelectrical impedance. RESULTS: The mean age was 86.2 years, most of the patients were women (81.7%). 37.1% of patients were at nutritional risk (MNA 17-23.5) and 16.7% were malnourished (MNA < 17). 72.4% of women and 79.4% of men, were diagnosed with DRM. 77.6% of the women and 73.5% of the men had low muscle strength. The appendicular muscle mass index was below the cut-off points for sarcopenia in 72.4% of the women and 79.4% of the men. Patients with sarcopenia had a lower body mass index, older age, poorer previous functional status and higher disease burden. The relationship between weight loss and hand grip strength (HGS) was significant (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: 53.8% of patients admitted for hip fracture present malnutrition or are at risk after screening with MNA. Sarcopenia and DRM affects at least three out of four patients older than 75 years admitted for hip fracture. Older age, worse functional status, lower body mass index and high number of comorbidities, are associated with these two entities. There is a relationship between DRM and sarcopenia.