The effect of chronic ilnesses on malnutrition in elderly patients over sixty age

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the nutritional status of the elder patients with chronic diseases, their tendency to malnutrition and the association between chronic illnessess and malnutrition.Materials and Methods: Elderly (60 years and older) patients (125 male, 187 female, total 312) hospitalized between April to September 2011 for different chronic diseases included this cross-sectional study. The nutritional status of the each patient was graded with Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF). Biological measurements included serum albumin, glucose, sodium, potassium, calcium, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, lipid profile, thyroid functio tests. Weigth, heigth, waist and hip circumference were measured and body mass index was calculated. The age, gender, marital status, and living region of the patients were also recorded.Results: Patients with MNA?10 were older, had lower waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, and BMI; decreased serum albumin, sodium, potassium, calcium, free T3 levels and higher vitamin B12 and BUN (p<0.001). Also serum total cholesterol (p=0.029) and triglyceride (p=0.032) levels were decreased in these patients. Patients with chronic renal insufficiency and congestive heart failure (CHF) had lower MNA-SF scores. In multivariate logistic regression analysis with 24 independent variables, age, dementia, CHF, vitamine B12 and albumin levels were significantly related with MNA-SF score.Conclusion: The short form of MNA is a feasible, cost effective and practical method to assess nutritional status. Especially in patients with dementia and CHF, close monitorisation of nutrition and energy balance is crucial.