Oral health‐related quality of life and nutritional status of institutionalized elderly population aged 60 years and above in Mysore City,India

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2012.00651.x Oral health‐related quality of life and nutritional status of institutionalized elderly population aged 60 years and above in Mysore City, India Objective: To assess whether oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL) is associated with nutritional status in the institutionalised elderly population of Mysore. Background: Malnutrition in the elderly has an evident impact on their general health and quality of life. Analysis of data of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and their association with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) results improves our understanding of the complex relationship between oral health and malnutrition. Materials and methods: The study was conducted among the institutionalised elderly population in Mysore city, Karnataka. Data on socio‐demographic, oral health status were gathered. OHRQoL was evaluated using GOHAI, and malnutrition risk using MNA. Results: Out of 141 elderly, 41.1% were men and 58.9% were women with mean age of 72.2 ± 7.5 years. Mean GOHAI score was 47.03 ± 9.2, with 69.5% had low perception of oral health. Mean MNA score was 9.91 ± 2.4, 15.6% were malnourished, 52.5% were at risk of malnutrition and 31.9% were adequately nourished. A strong association was found between the mean GOHAI and MNA scores. Conclusion: Oral health–related quality of life was associated with nutritional deficit, and it requires a greater integration between dentistry and nutrition in the health promotion of older adults.     

Validez de la valoración subjetiva global como método de despistaje de desnutrición hospitalaria. Prevalencia de desnutrición en un hospital terciario

IntroductionHospital malnutrition is a highly prevalent problem that affects patient morbidity and mortality resulting in longer hospital stays and increased healthcare costs. Although there is no single nutritional screening method, subjective global assessment (SGA) may be a useful, inexpensive, and easily reproducible tool.MethodsA cross-sectional, observational, randomized study was conducted in 197 patients in a tertiary hospital. SGA, anthropometric data, and biochemical parameters were used to assess the nutritional status of study patients.ResultsFifty percent of subjects were malnourished according to SGA. A higher prevalence of malnutrition was found in medical (53%) as compared to surgical departments (47%). Half the subjects (50%) had malnutrition by SGA, but only 37.8% received nutritional treatment during their hospital stay. Mean hospital stay was longer for patients malnourished (13.5 days) or at risk of malnutrition (12.1 days) as compared to well nourished subjects (6.97 days). SGA significantly correlated (P < .012) with anthropometric and biochemical malnutrition parameters.ConclusionsPrevalence of hospital malnutrition is very high in both medical and surgical departments and is inadequately treated. SGA is a useful tool for screening hospital malnutrition because of its high degree of correlation with anthropometric and biochemical parameters.     

维持性腹膜透析患者认知功能障碍与营养状况的关系研究

摘要 目的：探究维持性腹膜透析患者认知功能障碍与营养状况的关系。方法：前瞻性纳入2019年1月至2020年6月在济宁医学院附属医院就诊的172例维持性腹膜透析患者，收集患者一般资料。采用蒙特利尔认知评估量表（MoCA）评估患者的认知功能，根据MoCA评分分为认知功能正常组及认知功能障碍组。采用微型营养评估量表（MNA）评估患者营养状态，以MNA评分分为营养正常组、潜在营养不良组、营养不良组，比较认知功能正常组及认知功能障碍组营养状况占比情况，分析维持性腹膜透析患者认知功能与营养状况的相关性及影响认知功能的相关因素。结果：与认知功能正常组比较，认知功能障碍组患者透析时间明显延长，MNA总分、MoCA总分明显降低（P<0.05）。与认知功能正常组比较，认知功能障碍组患者营养正常者比例明显降低，营养不良者比例明显升高（P<0.05），潜在营养不良者比例有所升高但差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。经Pearson相关性检验分析显示，维持性腹膜透析患者MoCA总分与MNA总分呈明显正相关（P<0.05）。经Logistic回归分析显示，透析时间（延长）、营养不良均为维持性腹膜透析患者认知功能障碍的危险因素（P<0.05）。结论：维持性腹膜透析认知功能障碍患者营养不良发生率明显升高，且患者认知功能障碍与营养状况具有明显相关性，加强患者的营养状况有助于降低认知功能障碍的发生风险。     

Inflammation but Not Dietary Macronutrients Insufficiency Associated with the Malnutrition-Inflammation Score in Hemodialysis Population

Malnutrition is associated with increased risk of mortality in hemodialysis patients. And insufficient dietary intake is the common cause for malnutrition. So, in order to survey the dietary intake of hemodialysis patients and study the relationship between the dietary feature and nutritional status, a cross-sectional study was performed. 75 hemodialysis patients from South China participated in the dietary intake survey and nutrition assessment. A three-day diet diary record was used to estimate the major dietary macronutrients. Nutritional status was assessed by malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS) in addition to several related anthropometric measurements. Serum albumin, transferrin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to quantify the assessing value of independent parameters for nutritional status. The results showed that 48% patients were malnourished according to the MIS. The malnourished patients had a lower body mass index (BMI), fat mass (FM), albumin and a higher level of CRP, compared with normal nourished patients (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences of macronutrients (calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates, etc) were found between the two nutrition groups (P > 0.05). The multivariate regression analysis showed that the major macronutrients had no significant association with MIS (P > 0.05). In conclusion, malnutrition is very common in South China hemodialysis population and these data indicated that inflammation but not dietary macronutrients insufficiency might be the candidate cause for malnutrition in hemodialysis population.     

甲状旁腺激素水平对慢性肾衰竭患者维持性血液透析期间机体营养的影响

目的:探讨慢性肾衰竭(CRF)维持性血液透析患者血清甲状旁腺激素(PTH)水平与机体营养状况的关系。方法:选择2013年8月-2015年10月我院收治的慢性肾衰竭行维持性血液透析治疗的患者98例作为研究组,另选择同期接受健康体检的志愿者69例作为对照组。采用放射免疫法检测两组患者血清甲状旁腺激素(PTH)及血清学指标。采用微型营养评定法(MNA)评价两组患者营养状况;利用Spearman相关分析方法评价血清PTH与相关血清生化指标的相关性。结果:研究组营养不良发生率(31.63%)明显高于对照组(13.04%),差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。研究组营养不良患者血清PTH,HDL-C,LDL-C,CRP,BUN及SCr水平均高于潜在营养不良和营养正常者,而血清TP,ALB,TC,TG及Hb均低于潜在营养不良和营养正常者(P0.05)。潜在营养不良患者血清PTH,HDL-C,LDL-C,CRP,BUN及SCr水平均高于营养正常者,而血清TP,ALB,TC,TG及Hb均低于营养正常者(P0.05)。慢性肾衰竭患者血清PTH与MNA,TP,TC,TG,CRP以及Hb呈负相关关系(P0.05);与BUN,SCr呈正相关关系(P0.05);与ALB,HDL-C,LDL-C无明显相关性(P0.05)。结论:CRF患者并发营养不良的发生率较高,血清PTH水平与机体营养状况存在一定相关性,临床应予以重视。     

Assessment of nutritional status of gastroenterology patients in Croatia

Malnutrition is a common feature of gastroenterological diseases. In this study, nutritional status of the patients admitted to Department of Gastroenterology at University Hospital Center Zagreb was assessed. Anthropometric, dietetic, biochemical methods and method of Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) was used. The study group included 284 patients admitted to the Hospital. Malnutrition, as defined by SGA, was found in 61.1% of the patients, of whom 75% were moderately and 25% severely malnourished. Those patients classified as moderately and extremely malnourished by SGA were found to have statistically lower values of BMI, albumin, total proteins, calcium, iron, triglycerides, cholesterol, vitamin A and lymphocytes as compared to those who were adequately nourished. The prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized patients treated at the Department of Gastroenterology is high. The use of nutritional screening with multiple measures would be important in the early identification and treatment of these patients and would help decrease this high prevalence.     

长期住院老年精神疾病患者营养状况与认知功能的相关性研究

目的:了解长期住院老年精神疾病患者营养状况及与认知功能的相关性,为临床提供指导。方法:对住院3个月及以上的123例老年精神疾病患者采用简易精神状态检查量表(MMSE)评估认知功能,采用简易微型营养评定精简版(MNA-SF)评估营养状况,并采集一般资料、相关营养生化指标,应用Pearson相关分析MNA-SF评分与MMSE评分的相关性。结果:123例患者中,营养不良风险者67例(54.47%),营养不良者37例(30.08%),营养正常者19例(15.44%)。有认知障碍患者的营养不良发生率显著高于无认知障碍患者营养不良发生率(P<0.05),重度认知障碍者营养不良发生率显著高于轻、中度认知障碍者(P<0.05)。与无认知障碍者比较,中度、重度认知障碍者MNA-SF评分显著降低(P<0.05);与轻度、中度认知障碍者比较,重度认知障碍者MNA-SF评分显著降低(P<0.05)。营养不良者MMSE 6个认知领域评分和认知总评分均显著低于营养不良风险/正常者(P<0.05),Pearson相关分析显示:长期住院老年精神疾病患者MNA-SF评分与MMSE评分呈正相关(r=0.486, P=0.023<0.05)。结论:长期住院老年精神疾病患者营养不良发生率高,且与认知功能密切相关。临床部门需加强老年精神疾病患者,特别是有认知损害老人的营养关切。     

Malnutrition and cachexia in patients with head and neck cancer treated with (chemo)radiotherapy

AimTo highlight the problems associated with nutrition that occur in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).BackgroundSCCHN is associated with weight loss before, during and after radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Because of serious consequences of malnutrition and cachexia on treatment outcome, mortality, morbidity, and quality of life, it is important to identify SCCHN patients with increased risk for the development of malnutrition and cachexia.Materials and methodsCritical review of the literature.ResultsThis review describes pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of malnutrition and cancer cachexia. Treatment of malnutrition and cancer cachexia includes nutritional interventions and pharmacological therapy. Advantages and disadvantages of different nutritional interventions and their effect on the nutritional status, quality of life and specific oncological treatment are presented.ConclusionsNutritional management is an essential part of care of these patients, including early screening, assessment of nutritional status and appropriate intervention.     

稳定期慢性阻塞性肺疾病患者营养不良与甲状腺激素、肺功能及血清IL-6、IL-18的关系研究

目的:观察稳定期慢性阻塞性肺疾病(COPD)患者营养不良与甲状腺激素、肺功能及血清白细胞介素(IL)-6、IL-18的关系。方法:选择2019年1月~2020年12月我院收治的稳定期COPD患者76例作为研究对象。根据患者的微型营养评定(MNA)评分将其分为营养不良组(n=31)和非营养不良组(n=45),比较两组患者的人口学资料、疾病相关因素,甲状腺激素[三碘甲状腺原氨酸(T3)、甲状腺激素(T4)、促甲状腺激素(TSH)]水平,肺功能[第1秒用力呼气量占预测值百分比(FEV1%pred)、第1秒用力呼气量与用力肺活量比值(FEV1/FVC)],血清IL-6、IL-18水平。分析MNA评分与甲状腺激素水平、肺功能及血清IL-6、IL-18水平的相关性。分析患者发生营养不良的危险因素。结果:营养不良组年龄高于非营养不良组(P<0.05)。营养不良组T3、T4、TSH、FEV1%pred、FEV1/FVC显著低于非营养不良组,血清IL-6、IL-18水平显著高于非营养不良组(P<0.05)。稳定期COPD患者的MNA评分与T3、T4、TSH、FEV1%pred、FEV1/FVC呈正相关,与IL-6、IL-18呈负相关(P<0.05)。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,年龄>60岁、T3≤1.60 nmol/L、T4≤73.00 nmol/L、TSH≤1.50 nmol/L、FEV1%pred≤60.00%、FEV1/FVC≤0.54、IL-6≥8.00 pg/mL、IL-18≥47.00 pg/mL是稳定期COPD患者营养不良的危险因素(P<0.05)。结论:稳定期COPD患者营养不良受多种因素影响,临床应针对相关因素给予有效干预,降低此类患者营养不良风险。     

老年心力衰竭患者营养不良的影响因素分析及早期肠内营养对营养不良患者心功能、营养状况和肠道黏膜屏障功能的影响

摘要 目的：探讨老年心力衰竭（HF）患者营养不良的影响因素及早期肠内营养对营养不良患者心功能、营养状况和肠道黏膜屏障功能的影响。方法：选取2021年2月~2022年4月期间在我院接受治疗的180例老年HF患者作为研究对象。入院后采用微型营养评价简表（MNA-SF）评估患者的营养状况。根据MNA-SF评分结果分为营养不良组（n=83）和营养正常组（n=97）。应用单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析老年HF患者营养不良的危险因素。对老年HF营养不良患者给予早期肠内营养干预,观察其治疗前、治疗一周后心功能、营养状况和肠道黏膜屏障功能的变化情况。结果：老年HF患者营养不良与性别、居住地、饮酒史、病因、职业类别、谷丙转氨酶、血肌酐、收缩压（SBP）、舒张压（DBP）无关（P>0.05）,而与年龄、医保类型、病程、婚姻状况、美国纽约心脏病学会（NYHA）分级、文化程度、C反应蛋白（CRP）、家庭人均月收入、B型脑钠肽（BNP）、吸烟史、左心室射血分数（LVEF）有关（P<0.05）。Logistic回归分析结果显示：病程偏长、CRP偏高、BNP偏高、NYHA分级为IV级、年龄偏大、吸烟史是老年HF患者发生营养不良的危险因素（P<0.05）。治疗1周后,营养不良组老年HF患者的LVEF升高,BNP下降（P<0.05）。治疗1周后,营养不良组老年HF患者的前白蛋白（PA）、转铁蛋白（TRF）升高（P<0.05）。治疗1周后,营养不良组老年HF患者的D-乳酸（D-Lac）、二胺氧化酶（DAO）、肠脂肪酸结合蛋白（IFABP）下降（P<0.05）。结论：老年HF患者营养不良受到病程、CRP、BNP、NYHA分级、年龄、吸烟史等多种因素的影响,针对老年HF患者营养不良给予早期肠内营养,有助于改善患者心功能、营养状况和肠道黏膜屏障功能。     

基于NRS营养风险评估的整蛋白型肠内营养对老年肝硬化患者营养状态、肠道菌群及外周血Th17/Treg平衡的影响

摘要 目的：探讨基于营养风险筛查（NRS）营养风险评估的整蛋白型肠内营养对老年肝硬化患者营养状态、肠道菌群及外周血辅助性T细胞17（Th17）/调节性T细胞（Treg）平衡的影响。方法：按照随机数字表法将2019年12月~2022年8月期间长沙市第一医院收治的103例老年肝硬化患者将患者分为对照组（常规饮食治疗,51例）和研究组（对照组基础上接受基于NRS营养风险评估的整蛋白型肠内营养治疗,52例）。比较两组NRS2002评分、营养状态指标、肠道菌群指标及外周血Th17/Treg平衡变化情况。结果：治疗3个月后,两组NRS2002评分下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗3个月后,两组血清总蛋白（TP）、白蛋白（ALB）及前白蛋白（PA）升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗3个月后,两组双歧杆菌、乳酸杆菌、肠球菌、肠杆菌升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗3个月后,两组酵母样真菌下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。治疗3个月后,两组Treg升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）,治疗3个月后,两组Th17、Th17/Treg下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：老年肝硬化患者经基于NRS营养风险评估的整蛋白型肠内营养治疗,有利于降低营养不良发生风险,可能与改善患者的营养状态、肠道菌群及外周血Th17/Treg平衡有关。     

老年住院患者营养不良状况分析

目的:利用简易营养评价精法(short-form mini-nutritional assessment,MNA-SF)评价住院老年患者营养状况,并探讨老年患者营养状况与躯体功能的关系。方法:选取我院老年病及内科收治的年龄≥65岁的住院患者共104例,使用MNA-SF评价患者的营养状况,根据患者年龄、性别、慢性病等情况入组营养不良患者36例,营养良好患者68例,比较两组患者的饮食习惯、躯体功能,并对营养评分与握力、步速进行相关性分析。结果:与营养良好组相比,营养不良组进食肉食次数较少(16%vs 48%, P=0.012),握力[(11.67±9.89)kg vs (20.46±9.89)kg, P0.001]及步速(0.46±0.641m/s vs 1.16±0.65m/s,P0.001)均显著降低。老年住院患者MNA-SF得分与握力及步速呈显著正相关(r=0.562, P0.001)和(r=0.600,P0.001)。结论:住院老年患者的营养状况与进食肉食次数、握力和步速相关。     

The effects of race,sex, and nutrition on craniofacial differentiation in rats. A multivariate analysis

Wistar and Holtzman rats were fed (a) control diet ad libitum (controls); (b) restricted control diet (undernourished); and (c) low-protein diet ad libitum (malnourished), from weaning to 70 days of age. Mahalanobis D² distances between cranial groups were assessed. Besides, differences among traits were assessed by the analysis of variance and Tukey test. The relative influence of each factor yielded a decreasing sequence: protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM)-Protein deficit (PD)-race-sex. However, this sequence differed between races. The significant sexual dimorphism in Wistar controls disappeared because of PCM and PD. Race and sex, race and nutrition, and race, sex, and nutrition interacted. Traits were classified into: (a) specific, (b) nonspecific, and (c) invariable. The specific race traits were alveolar length and foraminal width. The specific nutritional traits were neurocranial and splanchnocranial lengths and heights, alveolar and neurocranial widths, and the neuro-splanchnorcranial index (NSI) and the neurocranial vertico-transversal index (NVTI). There were no specific sexual traits. It was concluded that nutritional factors can modify a taxonomic distance in three different ways: (a) evoking morphological differences among populations of the same racial group, (b) altering differences among racial groups, and (c) modifying the pattern of sexual dimorphism of a population. It is suggested that craniological studies should take into account only the set of specific traits, disregarding both specific traits due to other factors and nonspecific ones.     

Malnutrition impairs alveolar fluid clearance in rat lungs

Inadequate nutrition complicates the clinical course of critically ill patients, and many of these patients develop pulmonary edema. However, little is known about the effect of malnutrition on the mechanisms that resolve alveolar edema. Therefore, we studied the mechanisms responsible for the decrease in alveolar fluid clearance in rats exposed to malnutrition. Rats were allowed access to water, but not to food, for 120 h. Then, the left and right lungs were isolated for the measurement of lung water volume and alveolar fluid clearance, respectively. The rate of alveolar fluid clearance was measured by the progressive increase in the concentration of Evans blue dye that was instilled into the distal air spaces with an isosmolar 5% albumin solution over 1 h. Malnutrition decreased alveolar fluid clearance by 38% compared with controls. Amiloride (10(-3) M) abolished alveolar fluid clearance in malnourished rats. Either refeeding for 120 h following nutritional deprivation for 120 h or an oral supply of sodium glutamate during nutritional deprivation for 120 h restored alveolar fluid clearance to 91 and 86% of normal, respectively. Dibutyryl-cGMP, a cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channel agonist, increased alveolar fluid clearance in malnourished rats supplied with sodium glutamate. Terbutaline, a beta(2)-adrenergic agonist, increased alveolar fluid clearance in rats under all conditions (control, malnutrition, refeeding, and glutamate-treated). These results indicate that malnutrition impairs primarily amiloride-insensitive and dibutyryl-cGMP-sensitive alveolar fluid clearance, but this effect is partially reversible by refeeding, treatment with sodium glutamate, or beta-adrenergic agonist therapy.     

血液肿瘤住院患儿营养风险筛查及高度营养风险的危险因素分析

摘要 目的：筛查血液肿瘤住院患儿营养风险,并对其营养不良风险的危险因素进行分析。方法：选取2019年1月-2019年12月我院收治的的血液肿瘤住院患儿290例,采用自制问卷调查表,调查患儿的一般资料情况,采用欧洲肠外肠内营养协会推荐使用的儿科营养风险筛查工具（STAMP）评价患儿营养风险状况,采用单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析高度营养风险的危险因素。结果：依据STAMP评分标准,对研究对象290例患儿进行评价,高度营养风险的患儿247例,占比85.17%。中度营养风险的患儿43例,占比14.83%。低度营养风险患儿0例,占比0.00%。单因素分析结果显示,血液肿瘤住院患儿营养不良风险与年龄、化疗次数、肿瘤分期、总蛋白缺乏、血红蛋白缺乏有关（P<0.05）,而与居住地、性别、肿瘤类型、家庭人均月收入、患儿监护人文化程度无关（P>0.05）。Logistic回归分析发现,年龄为1~3岁、化疗次数＞5次、肿瘤分期为晚期、存在血红蛋白缺乏是血液肿瘤住院患儿高度营养风险的危险因素（P＜0.05）。结论：血液肿瘤住院患儿存在较高比例的营养不良风险,且受年龄、化疗次数、肿瘤分期、血红蛋白缺乏等多种因素影响,临床可考虑针对此类群体进行营养筛查,并给予及时的干预,以改善血液肿瘤住院患儿的营养状况。     

Cryptosporidium-malnutrition interactions: mucosal disruption, cytokines, and TLR signaling in a weaned murine model

Cryptosporidiosis is a leading cause of persistent diarrhea in children in impoverished and developing countries and has both a short- and long-term impact on the growth and development of affected children. An animal model of cryptosporidial infection that mirrors closely the complex interaction between nutritional status and infection in children, particularly in vulnerable settings such as post-weaning and malnourishment, is needed to permit exploration of the pathogenic mechanisms involved. Weaned C57BL/6 mice received a protein-deficient (2%) diet for 3-12 days, then were infected with 5 × 10(7) excysted C. parvum oocyts, and followed for rate of growth, parasite stool shedding, and intestinal invasion/morphometry. Mice had about 20% reduction in weight gain over 12 days of malnutrition and an additional 20% weight loss after C. parvum challenge. Further, a significantly higher fecal C. parvum shedding was detected in malnourished infected mice compared to the nourished infected mice. Also, higher oocyst counts were found in ileum and colon tissue samples from malnourished infected mice, as well as a significant reduction in the villous height-crypt depth ratio in the ileum. Tissue Th1 cytokine concentrations in the ileum were significantly diminished by malnutrition and infection. mRNA for toll-like receptors 2 and 4 were diminished in malnourished infected mice. Treatment with nitazoxanide did not prevent weight loss or parasite stool shedding. These findings indicate that, in the weaned animal, malnutrition intensifies cryptosporidial infection, while cryptosporidial infection further impairs normal growth. Depressed TLR2 and 4 signaling and Th1 cytokine response may be important in the mechanisms underlying the vicious cycle of malnutrition and enteric infection.     

Risk of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease: the role of malnutrition and possible therapeutic implications

The mortality rate of dialysis patients is still considerably high. Beside the traditional risk factors, specific uremia-related risk factors are identified. Among them, hypoalbuminemia and malnutrition have a strong association to mortality in chronic dialysis patients. Various studies document a strong relation between reduced calorie and protein uptake and mortality in uremic patients. Several factors responsible for malnutrition in dialysis patients have been identified. These factors may be dialysis-associated, due to intercurrent illnesses or are associated with uremic complications (e.g. hyperparathyroidism, anemia, acidosis, etc.). Malnutrition is treatable and can be avoided by several means. Beside the increase in the dose of dialysis and adequate protein and calorie intake, intradialytic nutrition is an additional choice. The combination with specific drugs (e.g. growth hormone) may potentiate the success of the modified treatment modalities, particularly in patients who need nutritional support during an intercurrent illness. Further studies are required to measure the impact of for example growth hormone supplementation on mortality rate and quality of life in malnourished patients on chronic dialysis.     

Contextual risk factors for maternal malnutrition in a food-insecure zone in southern Ethiopia

This study examined the nutritional status of mothers in one of the most populous food-insecure zones in southern Ethiopia, the Sidama zone. The study used primary data collected from 1094 households with a child under 24 months located in ten kebeles (the smallest administrative district). Households were selected using multi-stage probability sampling techniques. The mothers' nutritional status was estimated using both body mass index (BMI) and mid-upper-arm circumference (MUAC). The results from the BMI analysis revealed that 28.1% of the women were malnourished (BMI <18.5) and 67.5% were normal (BMI 18.5 to <25.0), while the remaining small proportion (4.5%) fell in the overweight or obese categories. Similarly, the computation of maternal nutritional status by MUAC analysis showed that 31.4% of the women were malnourished (MUAC <22). Further analysis of the main predictors of maternal malnutrition using logistic regression showed that three individual-level variables and three household-level variables predicted maternal malnutrition: woman's age, duration of breast-feeding, literacy status, marital form, land size and intra-household food distribution. The study concludes that maternal malnutrition is a serious problem in the study area and that there are contextual risk factors that could be addressed to partially tackle the problem.     

Association between nutrition and the prosthetic condition in edentulous elderly

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the possible risk of malnutrition among the elderly population. Subjects: twenty‐three pairs of complete dentures were made for a group of patients and 17 upper complete dentures with implant‐supported lower dentures were made for a different group. Methods: The study was performed at the University of São Paulo – Dental Branch, Brazil. The patients were submitted to a nutritional test, as well as to a clinical examination and interview. Chewing ability and patient's satisfaction with their prostheses were evaluated. The nonparametric statistics proof of chi‐squared, level 0.05 was performed and because of the low frequencies. The Fischer test was also used. Results: Patients wearing mandibular implant‐supported dentures were considered well nourished (76.47%) when compared with complete dentures users (43.48%). There was a significant difference between the two groups, concerning to chewing ability (χ² = 5.79) and nutritional status (χ² = 4.35). Conclusion: The risk of malnutrition was higher for elderly wearing complete dentures. The psychological state influences the interest in diet and choice of food.     

Resultados de la aplicación de un protocolo de valoración nutricional en un centro sociosanitario

The aim of this study was to determine nutritional status in 83 residents of a nursing home and to evaluate outcomes after the application of a nutritional assessment protocol designed by the Department of Social Welfare of the autonomous community of Valencia (Spain).The sample was classified according to body mass index (BMI), hypoalbuminemia and application of the geriatric nutritional risk index. Nutritional interventions consisted of applying general recommendations and follow-up in residents without malnutrition, providing adequate powdered diets in residents with chewing and swallowing disorders and risk of bronchoaspiration, adjusting total enteral nutrition in residents with nasogastric feeding tubes and initiating vitamin supplementation in residents with severe malnutrition.After 3 months, the mean BMI showed a nonsignificant increase (P=.168), reducing the number of residents with malnutrition from 29% to 23%. The number of residents who received nutritional supplements without indication also decreased, resulting in an estimated saving of 965 euros. Active participation of the multidisciplinary team in the coordinated and continuous follow-up of nutritional status in residents contributed to achieving adequate nutritional status and improved the rational use of artificial nutrition in the nursing home.