Pfannkuch S, Wirth R, Trampisch U, Volkert D, Pourhassan M (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Book Volume: 30
Article Number: 100745
Journal Issue: 1
DOI: 10.1016/j.jnha.2025.100745
Objectives To evaluate the prevalence of the Determinants of Malnutrition in Aged Persons (DoMAP) and identify determinants of malnutrition among older adults attending primary healthcare. Design and setting Prospective, observational, monocentric study in primary healthcare. Participants 500 older adults. Measurements Malnutrition was diagnosed using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Potential causes of malnutrition were assessed by the attending physician using the DoMAP model with a 1:1 recruitment of malnourished and non-malnourished older persons. Results Malnourished individuals (mean age 81.7 ± 5.0 years; 59% women) exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of almost all DoMAP determinants compared to non-malnourished persons, particularly low intake (88 vs. 11%), high requirements (83 vs. 49%), poor appetite (73 vs. 9%), shopping difficulties (59 vs. 26%), inflammation (81 vs. 49%), gastrointestinal disease (17 vs. 2%), cancer (11 vs. 1%), depression (35 vs. 19%), dementia (21 vs. 6%), polypharmacy (60 vs. 38%), and hospitalization (27 vs. 4%). The mean total determinants count was significantly higher in malnourished participants (14.9 ± 5.0) than in non-malnourished ones (6.8 ± 4.4; p < 0.001). Regression analysis revealed low intake as the strongest determinant at Level1; poor appetite, forgetting to eat, shopping difficulties and inflammation at Level2; gastrointestinal disease, cancer and depression at Level3, and frailty and hospitalization at Level4. Conclusion This study highlights the complex multifactorial nature of malnutrition in older adults attending primary healthcare, confirming the superior role of low intake and poor appetite among other determinants. The DoMAP model offers a structured framework for potential causative factors of malnutrition in older subjects.
APA:
Pfannkuch, S., Wirth, R., Trampisch, U., Volkert, D., & Pourhassan, M. (2026). Potential causes of malnutrition in older adults in primary healthcare—A cross-sectional study. Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 30(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnha.2025.100745
MLA:
Pfannkuch, Stefan, et al. "Potential causes of malnutrition in older adults in primary healthcare—A cross-sectional study." Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging 30.1 (2026).
BibTeX: Download