Evaluation of the nutritional status of patients hospitalized in palliative care and its relationship with depression

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the nutritional status of patients hospitalized in palliative care and to determine the relationship between their nutritional status, depression, and daily living activities. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive study, conducted between 20 November 2023 and April 2024, questionnaires including sociodemographic characteristics, Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living were administered to patients hospitalized in the Palliative Care Unit of Ordu University Training and Research Hospital. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS V23, with a significance level set at p<0.05. Results: A total of 169 individuals were included in the study. The participants had an average age of 81,26 ±8,96 years (range: 65 to 100). The average score on the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scale was 16,77, and the average score on the Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form (GDS-SF) was 7,08. The average score for the Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living was 45,86. When examining the relationships between the Barthel Index and GDS-SF scores, Barthel Index and MNA scores, as well as MNA and GDS-SF scores, a statistically significant correlation was found (p<0.001). As MNA scores decreased, GDS-SF scores increased, while Barthel Index scores decreased. Conclusion: Patients in need of palliative care often face difficulties in meeting their own needs and tend to be dependent on their surroundings, with a predisposition to malnutrition and depression. A strong interrelationship exists between these three conditions. In our study, it was observed that as patients' susceptibility to malnutrition increased, their tendency towards depression also heightened, which in turn led to a parallel increase in their level of dependency. Based on the results of our study, it is crucial to assess both the severity of depression and nutritional status for each hospitalized patient to enhance their quality of life and ensure a more effective treatment approach. By implementing targeted nutritional interventions, regularly monitoring patients, and treating depression, better outcomes can be achieved for these patients. Key Words: Family Medicine, Dependency, Nutrition, Depression, Daily Living Activities, Palliative