[Nutritional status in elderly patients with a hip fracture]. / Estado nutricional en ancianos con fractura de cadera.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Undernutrition is very common in elderly patients with a hip fracture. Malnutrition is associated with increased risk of complications after surgery. Few data exist about the presence of nutritional risk in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of undernutrition and the nutritional risk in elderly patients with a hip fracture admitted to a hospital. PATIENTS AND METHOD: A cross sectional study assessing the nutritional status of 80 patients with hip fracture (mean age 80 years) was carried out. Functional capacity, anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers and dietary intake were evaluated. The Mini Nutritional Assessment test has been used to detect nutritional risk. RESULTS: 8.8% of patients were undernourished. 43.7% at risk of malnutrition and 47.5% well-nourished according to MNA test. If only BMI was considered the prevalence of malnutrition was 5%. Energy and micronutrient intake was low and could contribute to the development of complications after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a high prevalence of nutritional risk in elderly patients with a hip fracture. The inclusion of MNA in the preoperative evaluation could contribute to a better nutritional intervention during their stay in the hospital and to provide specific dietary advices to avoid malnutrition after surgery.

Estado nutricional en ancianos con fractura de cadera / Nutritional status in elderly patients with a hip fracture

Fundamento y objetivo: La desnutrición es muy frecuente en mayores con fractura de cadera, y se asocia con un aumento del riesgo de complicaciones, morbilidad y mortalidad. Existen pocos estudios que evalúen el riesgo nutricional en estos pacientes. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido evaluar la prevalencia de desnutrición y riesgo nutricional en mayores al ingreso hospitalario tras una fractura de cadera. Población y método: Se ha realizado un estudio observacional para evaluar el estado nutricional de 80 pacientes ancianos con fractura de cadera. Se ha determinado la capacidad funcional, parámetros antropométricos, bioquímicos y un estudio de la dieta. El riesgo nutricional se ha determinado por el test MNA. Resultados: la aplicación del test MNA muestra que un 8,8% de los pacientes están desnutridos, el 43,7% presentan una situación de riesgo nutricional y el 47,5% están bien nutridos. Según el IMC la prevalencia de desnutrición es del 5%. La ingesta de energía y micronutrientes es baja y podría contribuir al desarrollo de complicaciones tras la cirugía. Conclusión: Nuestro estudio muestra una elevada prevalencia de riesgo nutricional en pacientes ancianos con fractura de cadera. Por tanto, la inclusión del test MNA en la evaluación clínica preoperatoria de estos pacientes podría contribuir a una mejor intervención nutricional durante la estancia hospitalaria así como a dar un consejo dietético específico para evitar la desnutrición post quirúrgica (AU)

Background and objective: Undernutrition is very common in elderly patients with a hip fracture. Malnutrition is associated with increased risk of complications after surgery. Few data exist about the presence of nutritional risk in these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of undernutrition and the nutritional risk in elderly patients with a hip fracture admitted to a hospital. Patients and method: A cross sectional study assessing the nutritional status of 80 patients with hip fracture (mean age 80 years) was carried out. Functional capacity, anthropometric measurements, biochemical markers and dietary intake were evaluated. The Mini Nutritional Assessment test has been used to detect nutritional risk. Results: 8.8% of patients were undernourished. 43.7% at risk of malnutrition and 47.5% well-nourished according to MNA test. If only BMI was considered the prevalence of malnutrition was 5%. Energy and micronutrient intake was low and could contribute to the development of complications after surgery. Conclusions: Our study shows a high prevalence of nutritional risk in elderly patients with a hip fracture. The inclusion of MNA in the preoperative evaluation could contribute to a better nutritional intervention during their stay in the hospital and to provide specific dietary advices to avoid malnutrition after surgery (AU)