Abstract:

In this study it was aimed to assess the nutritional status of elderly patients and to compare the results with other geriatric syndromes as well as clinical and laboratory findings. Mini nutritional assessment test was performed to 140 patients with ages of ≥65 years (mean age= 74±6 years [65–90 years]) who consecutively admitted to the internal medicine outpatient clinic. Bone mineral density was measured in 64 patients. Malnutrition and malnutrition risk were detected in 3 and 20 patients, respectively, according to the results of mini nutritional assessment test (Totally 23, 16%). Significant differences were found between the patients with low mini nutritional assessment test scores and the others with respect to body weight (66.26±11.35 kg vs 73.24±10.85 kg, p=0.006) and bone mineral densities of proximal femur (T scores; -2.38±1.31 vs -1.40±1.44, p=0.039) and lumbar regions (T scores; -2.05±1.33 vs - 1.05±1.51, p=0.045). Depression and symptoms related to demantial period were observed in 32.9% (14 male and 31 female) and 19.3% (12 male and 15 female) of the patients, respectively. A significant negative correlation was found between the mini nutritional assessment test scores and geriatric depression test scores (p=0.002). In conclusion, malnutrition rate and malnutrition risk ratio of elderly patients in the present study area were found similar to those reported in the literature. Changes in body weight and measurement of bone mineral densities of the patients were in paralel with their nutritional status, and depression was detected as one of the most important factors increasing the malnutrition risk.

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