Z Gastroenterol 2009; 47 - A55
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1224034

Nutritional status and nutritional rehabilitation in nursing homes

Z Lelovics 1, M Figler 2
  • 11st Institute of Human Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs
  • 22nd Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Pécs, Pécs

Introduction: nutritionDay in nursing homes was organized second time in European volunteer nursing homes on 31st of January, 2008. Altogether from 111 institutions 3775 residents took part in this. From them 2272 residents represented 57 Hungarian social homes.

Aim: The aims were to characterize residents based on general and specific indicators, to monitor changes in body weight and to screen nutritional status.

Methods: 3775 volunteering adults (age >18) who met the criteria in the protocol took part in the research. The recording of the residents' data was done on a form anonymously; 3 different persons supplied the data. The screening of risk was partly done with anthropometrical measurements. The statistical analysis was performed with Cox and logistic regression by the Medical Statistics Institute of the University Vienna.

Results: There were 2014 (53.4%) women and 1761 (46.6%) men participating in the survey. The mean age was 82.0 years (range: 19–106 years). The mean BMI was proved to be 25.2+/-5.8 [kg/m2]. The care causing diagnosis was related to the brain and nerves in 64.7%, to cardiovascular and lung diseases in 47.6%. Decline in cognitive function in 57.0%, low appetite in 15.5%, chewing problems in 33.4% of the residents were present. Thirty-four point five percent of the residents lost weight in the last year. By staff estimation the malnutrition was present in 6.44% of the residents, while 16.8% were malnourished according to BMI (<20kg/m2). In contrast, evaluation of 3 criteria together revealed that the prevalence of mild and severe risk of malnutrition was 81.3%.

Conclusions: The present results reflect that for assessing nutritional status one tool is not enough, there is a need for multiple sources of information to explore more complex the real situation. The database made following the research can serve as a base for social institutions to develop measures with scientific background for optimalizing nutrition and feeding of the residents.

Nestlé HealthCare Nutrition supported the realization of the survey