Predictors of incident malnutrition—a nutritionDay analysis in 11,923 nursing home residents

Torbahn G, Sulz I, Großhauser F, Hiesmayr M, Kießwetter E, Schindler K, Sieber CC, Visser M, Weber J, Volkert D (2021)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Journal article, Original article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

Original Authors: Gabriel Torbahn, Isabella Sulz, Franz Großhauser, Michael J. Hiesmayr, Eva Kiesswetter, Karin Schindler, Cornel C. Sieber, Marjolein Visser, Jasmin Weber, Dorothee Volkert

DOI: 10.1038/s41430-021-00964-9

Abstract

Background/Objectives

Malnutrition (MN) in nursing home (NH) residents is associated with poor outcome. In order to identify those with a high risk of incident MN, the knowledge of predictors is crucial. Therefore, we investigated predictors of incident MN in older NH-residents.

Subjects/Methods

NH-residents participating in the nutritionDay-project (nD) between 2007 and 2018, aged ≥65 years, with complete data on nutritional status at nD and after 6 months and without MN at nD. The association of 17 variables (general characteristics (n = 3), function (n = 4), nutrition (n = 1), diseases (n = 5) and medication (n = 4)) with incident MN (weight loss ≥ 10% between nD and follow-up (FU) or BMI (kg/m2) < 20 at FU) was analyzed in univariate generalized estimated equation (GEE) models. Significant (p < 0.1) variables were selected for multivariate GEE-analyses. Effect estimates are presented as odds ratios and their respective 99.5%-confidence intervals.

Results

Of 11,923 non-malnourished residents, 10.5% developed MN at FU. No intake at lunch (OR 2.79 [1.56–4.98]), a quarter (2.15 [1.56–2.97]) or half of the meal eaten (1.72 [1.40–2.11]) (vs. three-quarter to complete intake), the lowest BMI-quartile (20.0–23.0) (1.86 [1.44–2.40]) (vs. highest (≥29.1)), being between the ages of 85 and 94 years (1.46 [1.05; 2.03]) (vs. the youngest age-group 65–74 years)), severe cognitive impairment (1.38 [1.04; 1.84]) (vs. none) and being immobile (1.28 [1.00–1.62]) (vs. mobile) predicted incident MN in the final model.

Conclusion

10.5% of non-malnourished NH-residents develop MN within 6 months. Attention should be paid to high-risk groups, namely residents with poor meal intake, low BMI, severe cognitive impairment, immobility, and older age.

Authors with CRIS profile

Involved external institutions

Medizinische Universität Wien Austria (AT) Krankenhaus Barmherzige Brüder Germany (DE) Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) / University Amsterdam Netherlands (NL)

How to cite

APA:

Torbahn, G., Sulz, I., Großhauser, F., Hiesmayr, M., Kießwetter, E., Schindler, K.,... Volkert, D. (2021). Predictors of incident malnutrition—a nutritionDay analysis in 11,923 nursing home residents. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-021-00964-9

MLA:

Torbahn, Gabriel, et al. "Predictors of incident malnutrition—a nutritionDay analysis in 11,923 nursing home residents." European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2021).

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