ePrints

Managing Malnutrition in Older Persons Residing in Care Homes: Nutritional and Clinical Outcomes Following a Screening and Intervention Program

Lookup NU author(s): Arthur Okonkwo

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

© 2016, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. This study aimed to establish prevalence of malnutrition in older adult care home residents and investigate whether a nutritional screening and intervention program could improve nutritional and clinical outcomes. A community-based cohort study was conducted in five Newcastle care homes. 205 participants entered; 175 were followed up. Residents already taking oral nutritional supplements (ONS) were excluded from interventions. Those with Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) score of 1 received dietetic advice and ≥2 received dietetic advice and were prescribed ONS (220 ml, 1.5 kcal/ml) twice daily for 12 weeks. Body mass index (BMI), MUST, mini nutritional assessment score (MNA)®, mid upper arm muscle circumference (MAMC), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were recorded at baseline and 12 weeks. Malnutrition prevalence was 36.6% ± 6.6 (95% CI). A higher MUST was associated with greater mortality (p = 0.004). Type of intervention received was significantly associated with change in MUST score (p < 0.001); dietetic advice resulting in the greatest improvement. There were no significant changes in BMI (p = 0.445), MAMC (p = 0.256), or GDS (p = 0.385) following the interventions. Dietitian advice may slow the progression of nutritional decline. In this study oral nutritional supplements over a 3-month period did not significantly improve nutritional status in malnourished care home residents.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Mountford CG, Okonkwo ACO, Hart K, Thompson NP

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics

Year: 2016

Volume: 35

Issue: 1

Pages: 52-66

Online publication date: 17/02/2016

Acceptance date: 01/01/1900

ISSN (print): 2155-1197

ISSN (electronic): 2155-1200

Publisher: Routledge

URL: http://doi.org/10.1080/21551197.2015.1131797

DOI: 10.1080/21551197.2015.1131797

Altmetrics

Share