Detection of malnutrition in elderly individuals, evaluation of the relationship of nutritional status and some biochemical parameters and sarcopenia

This study was carried out to determine malnutrition, to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status and some biochemical parameters and sarcopenia in elderly people aged 65 and over staying in a nursing home. Total of 70 individuals, 32 males and 38 females, were included in the study. In the questionnaire form made with the individuals participating in the study, the general characteristics of the individuals, their general health status, nutritional habits, physical activity levels and 24-hour food consumption record were questioned. Body composition of individuals was determined with Tanita RD-545 BIA device, anthropometric measurements were taken and hand grip strength was measured with TAKEI hand dynamometer. Biochemical parameters information form was created from the patient files of the individuals (LDL-HDL-total cholesterol, creatinine, iron binding capacity, triglyceride, ALT, AST, glucose, urea, iron, %HBA1C, free T3, free T4, TSH, B12). The MNA Test was used to determine the nutritional status of the individuals and the SARC-F test was used to determine the sarcopenia status.While malnutrition was observed in 3.1% of women participating in the study, no malnutrition was detected in men Malnutrition risk was detected in 15.6% of women and 26.3% of men. The frequency of sarcopenia was found to be 21.9% in women and 21.1% in men.While no significant correlation was found between the biochemical parameters of the individuals and sarcopenia (p>0.05), a significant correlation was found between the malnutrition status and anthropometric measurements of the individuals and sarcopenia (p<0.05). Anthropometric measurements of individuals such as Body Mass Index (BMI), body weight, waist circumference and hip circumference were found to be lower in individuals with sarcopenia than in individuals without sarcopenia (p<0.05). The incidence of malnutrition and malnutrition risk was found to be higher in individuals with sarcopenia than in individuals without sarcopenia (p<0.05). As a result, early detection of malnutrition and sarcopenia in the elderly should be given importance and nutritional status should be monitored. Keywords: Elderly nutrition, Hand grip strength, Malnutrition, MNA Test, Sarcopenia