The most common factors hindering the independent functioning of the elderly at home by age and sex.

OBJECTIVE: Changes occurring with increased age as well progressive illnesses can negatively affect the independent functioning of older people. The goal of this study was to identify the most common problems that make independent life at home more difficult for the elderly and to try and present their relation with age and gender. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 506 persons over 60 years of age took part in the study. They were residents of Poznan, Poland and surrounding areas. The research instruments were the Abbreviated Mental Test Score and EASY-Care Standard 2010 questionnaire which makes it possible to analyze patient's functioning in seven areas and includes three risk scales: Independence score, Risk of breakdown in care, Risk of falls. RESULTS: In the group studied the greatest difficulties included performing complex activities of everyday life connected with moving around (III area), difficulties with performing household tasks (50.8%), shopping (39.7%) and falls (35.0%). The most frequently reported symptom that was a cause of worry was pain (68.2%). Other health problems reported included sleep disorders (58.9%), incorrect body weight (52.6%), low tolerance of physical effort (48.4%), urethral sphincter functioning disorder (42.7%) and forgetfulness (40.5%). The feeling of being lonely was found in 45.8% of older people. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences in functioning between the genders were found in the areas of meal preparation, falls, mobility outside the home, not feeling safe, lack of physical activity, low tolerance of physical effort and almost all of area VII - Mental health and well-being. The main determinants of risk scores with the Independence Score, Risk of breakdown in care and Risk of fall domains were age and subjective feelings of pain.

Health status correlates of malnutrition in the polish elderly population - Results of the Polsenior Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze health-related factors associated with poor nutritional status (PNS) of a representative group of Polish older people, based on data from the PolSenior project (the first nation-wide study of Polish senior citizens). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nutritional status was assessed in 3751 community-dwelling older people (1770 females, mean age: 77.4±8.0 years) using the Mini Nutritional Assessment - Short Form. Elements of comprehensive geriatric assessment (cognitive and mood screening), selected medical data were analyzed in relation to the nutritional status. These were: the number of medications, the number of chronic diseases, selected diseases potentially related to malnutrition (anaemia, stroke, peptic ulcer, Parkinson's disease, cancer - past or present), total edentulism, use of dentures, and chronic pain. RESULTS: PNS was observed in 44.2% of participants. Female sex [OR 1.72, 95% Cl (1.45-2.04)], advanced age [OR 2.16 (1.80-2.58)], symptoms of depression [OR 11.52 (9.24-14.38)], cognitive impairment [OR 1.52 (1.20-1.93], multimorbidity [OR 1.27 (1.04-1.57)], anaemia [OR 1.80 (1.41-2.29)] and total edentulism [OR 1.26 (1.06-1.49)] were independently correlated with PNS. CONCLUSIONS: PNS in Polish elderly population is strongly related to the occurrence of symptoms of depression. People in advanced age with symptoms of depression, cognitive impairment, multimorbidity, anaemia and total edentulism should be screened and monitored for early symptoms of malnutrition.

Social and economic correlates of malnutrition in Polish elderly population: the results of PolSenior study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition in Polish elderly population and analyse its social and economic correlates based on the data from the PolSenior project, the first large-scale study of a representative group of Polish seniors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional population-based study. SETTING: All territorial provinces in Poland. PARTICIPANTS: 4482 community-dwelling respondents aged 65 years or above (women: n=2142, age=79.0±8.4 years; men: n=2340, age= 78.3±8.6 years). MEASUREMENTS: The nutritional status of participants was assessed through the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (the revised MNA-SF). Out of social and economic correlates we evaluated age, sex, level of education, marital status, place of residence, living conditions and economic status. Economic status of the respondents was determined on the basis of questions on how well they could manage their own budgets. Those who could afford only the cheapest food or clothes were considered the group of self-reported poverty. RESULTS: Frequency of malnutrition in the PolSenior population accounted for 7.5% (in 5.0% men and 9.0% women; p<0.001). The risk of malnutrition was present in 38.9% (33.3% men and 42.4% women; p<0.001). In our study female sex, older age, unmarried status, living in a rural area and self-reported poverty were independent correlates of malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed high prevalence of malnutrition and the risk of its development among the community-dwelling elderly people in Poland. Screening with MNA-SF should focus in particular on unmarried, poorly educated individuals, in late old age, living in rural areas and self-reporting a poor financial state, especially women.