Abstract

SANDOVAL, Luis  and  VARELA, Luis. Evaluation of nutritional condition in elderly ambulatory patients. Rev Med Hered [online]. 1998, vol.9, n.3, pp.104-108. ISSN 1018-130X.

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional state of older outpatients. Material and methods: In this case-series study, we evaluate a population of ambulatory elderly patients living in the community, using scales for functionality, a mini nutritional assessment, and anthropometrical measures. Results: In 66 patients, we found a mean age 73.3 ± 9.14 years old, females 68.2%, an average pathologies of 2.83 ± 1.06, drugs taken 1.10 1.26, mean IMC 25.74 ± 4.9, MNA score 20.72 ± 3.56, Katz, Lawton and Barthel scores 1.41 ± 1.08, 6.35 ± 2.24, 93.62 ± 18.18, respectively. The principal pathology diagnosed was cardiovascular (22.7%) and gastroenterological (16.7%). Searching for pathological states, we found a prevalence of protein-calorie malnutrition of 36%, the prevalence increasing with the age (from 19.2% in 60 to 69 years to 100% in 90 or more years). The prevalence of obesity was 42% in the general group decreasing from 73% in the age group of 60 to 69 y, to 13.3% in the age group 80 to 89 years. Using the mini nutritional 1 assessment scale, we found 51.5% of the population of patients with criteria for risk of malnutrition, and 19.6% with criteria of established malnutrition. Conclusion: We propose this measurements as practical and less expensive instruments for nutrition screening in older persons arriving to the examination room. ( Rev Med Hered 1998; 9:104-108 ).

Keywords : Elderly patients; malnutrition; obesity.

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