[Prevalence of malnutrition and influence of oral nutritional supplementation on nutritional status in institutionalized elderly]. / Prevalencia de desnutrición e influencia de la suplementación nutricional oral sobre el estado nutricional en ancianos institucionalizados.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional supplementation might be an effective strategy for improving the nutritional status and the quality of life of institutionalized fragile elderly. OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of malnutrition and its relation with disease, and the influence of dietary supplementation by means of oral formulas on the nutritional status of elderly nursing home residents were assessed. METHODS: Two studies were carried out, one a cross-sectional survey in 31 subjects and the other a longitudinal-sectional survey in 19 subjects, both groups living in a public nursing home in the city of Murcia (SE Spain). Body mass index (BMI), serum albumin concentration (ALB) and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) were assessed as markers of potential malnutrition. Illnesses were ascertained from medical records. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The prevalence of malnutrition of the total collective was high (39%), and especially in the fragile subjects (50%). The administration of oral nutritional supplements in the usual diet for 12 months significantly increased ALB and GNRI, and had no effect on body weigh and BMI. Jointly, these effects decreased the in the number of subjects at high nutritional risk and increased the number of subjects with a low or zero risk of malnutrition. CONCLUSION: The administration of oral nutritional supplements in the usual diet of this elderly collective is an effective clinical strategy in nutritional therapy.

Prevalencia de desnutrición e influencia de la suplementación nutricional oral sobre el estado nutricional en ancianos institucionalizados / Prevalence of malnutrition and influence of oral nutritional supplementation on nutritional status in institutionalized elderly

Introducción: La suplementación nutricional puede ser una efectiva estrategia para mejorar el estado nutricional y la calidad de vida de ancianos frágiles institucionalizados. Objetivos: Se ha valorado la prevalencia de desnutrición y su relación con el tipo de enfermedad, y la influencia de la suplementación de la dieta con fórmulas orales sobre el estado nutricional en ancianos institucionalizados. Métodos: Se realizaron dos estudios, uno de diseño transversal en el que participaron 31 ancianos, y otro de corte longitudinal con 19 ancianos, residentes en una institución pública para personas mayores de un área urbana de la Región de Murcia (España). Se ha determinado índice de masa corporal (IMC), concentración de albúmina sérica (ALB) e índice de riesgo nutricional geriátrico (GNRI) como marcadores de desnutrición y se ha registrado la enfermedad primaria y secundaria de los participantes. Resultados y discusión: La prevalencia de desnutrición en el colectivo de ancianos institucionalizados es elevada (39%), y especialmente en los residentes más frágiles (50%). La administración de suplementos nutricionales orales con la dieta habitual durante 12 meses ha incrementado significativamente la ALB y el GNRI y no ha tenido efecto sobre el peso corporal e IMC. Estos efectos beneficiosos se han traducido en la reducción en el número de ancianos con alto riesgo nutricional y aumento en el de bajo o nulo riesgo de desnutrición. Conclusión: La administración de suplementos nutricionales orales con la dieta habitual en un colectivo de estas características, es una medida clínica efectiva y justificada en su terapia nutricional (AU)

Background: Nutritional supplementation might be an effective strategy for improving the nutritional status and the quality of life of institutionalized fragile elderly. Objectives: The prevalence of malnutrition and its relation with disease, and the influence of dietary supplementation by means of oral formulas on the nutritional status of elderly nursing home residents were assessed. Methods: Two studies were carried out, one a crosssectional survey in 31 subjects and the other a longitudinal-sectional survey in 19 subjects, both groups living in a public nursing home in the city of Murcia (SE Spain). Body mass index (BMI), serum albumin concentration (ALB) and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) were assessed as markers of potential malnutrition. Illnesses were ascertained from medical records. Results and discussion: The prevalence of malnutrition of the total collective was high (39%), and especially in the fragile subjects (50%). The administration of oral nutritional supplements in the usual diet for 12 months significantly increased ALB and GNRI, and had no effect on body weigh and BMI. Jointly, these effects decreased the in the number of subjects at high nutritional risk and increased the number of subjects with a low or zero risk of malnutrition. Conclusion: The administration of oral nutritional supplements in the usual diet of this elderly collective is an effective clinical strategy in nutritional therapy (AU)