Determination of frailty, sarcopenia and malnutrition status in elderly living in nursing homes

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, the elderly population has increased by 22.6% in the last 5 years. The proportion of elderly individuals in the total population exceeds 10%, indicating that the society is getting older. When we inspect the projections indicating population, 12.9% of the population is old in 2030, 16.3% in 2040, 22.6% in 2060, and 25.6% of the total population in 2080 are expected to be elderly population. In the World and also in Türkiye the elderly population is growing. Frailty, sarcopenia and malnutrition are common problems among elderly living in institutions. The main purpose of this study was to assess the status of frailty, sarcopenia and malnutrition among elderly people living in nursing homes. 61 elderly people (44 males, 72.1%; 17 females, 27.9%). A questionnaire was applied face-to-face for to assess the demographic variables. Also, Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), R-MAPPS (Remote Malnutrition Application for Primary Practice) and Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS) questionnaires were applied. The mean (±SD) age was 71.9±7.0 years. Living duration in nursing home for 27.0±29.1 months. Within last 3 months; 14.8% of the elderly had lost body weight and 21.3% had gained. A total of 37.7% had routine health check-up and 70.5% had health problem diagnosed by a physician. Patients had CVD (30.2%), diabetes (19.0%), hypertension (28.6%) problems. 62,3% did not apply diet related to disease. 91,8% did not ask for help in daily activities. Within the last 1 year had 1.0±2.1 times of falls and 36.1% had fear of fall. 14.8% had regular exercise/sports activity and 44.3% was walking within previous week. 54.1% had physical disability affecting physical activity status. Most of the elderly spent their time watching TV (60,7%) and chatting with friends (34,4%). Edmonton Frail Scale mean (±SD) score was 5.0±2.7 in males and 6.3±2.2 in females. According to EFS scores; 37,7% was not frail (0-4 points), 31,1% vulnerable (5-6 points), 21,3% mild frailty (7-8 points), 3,3% moderate frailty (9-10 points), 6,6% severe frailty (≥11 points). The mean (±SD) MNA score was 24,2±3,2. Out of total, 68.9% of the elderly was in good nutritional status (24-30 points), 29.5% was at risk of malnutrition (23.5-17 points), 1.6% was determined as malnourished (<17 points). In R-MAPP, due to scoring of MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool); 85.2% had low risk, (0 point) 9.8% had medium risk (1 point) 4.9% had high risk (≥2 point) for malnutrition. Due to SARC-F score 29.5% (≥4 score) was in sarcopenia status. Averages (±SD) of body weight, height, waist circumference and hip circumference of male elderly were 75.9±12.8 kg, 170.8±4.6 cm, 104.0±10.9 cm and 98.7±10.1 cm and 74.8±14.2 kg, 155.9±8.2 cm, 112.7±10.6 cm and 106.4±11.4 cm for females, respectively. The mean (±SD) hand grip strengths in males was 25.3± 6.4 kg and 13.3±3.7 kg in females. The mean (±SD) energy intake of males was 1286.8±406.7 kcal and 1338.5±475.4 kcal for females. The percentages of energy provided by carbohydrates, protein and fat were 48.2±7.3%, 16.4±4.7%, and 35.2±8.2% for males and 50.1±7.2%, 16.7±3.7% and 33.1±7.2% for females, respectively. Frailty, sarcopenia and malnutrition risks were determined among elderly living in nursing homes. Preventive approaches should be promoted and programs should be developed and implemented.