Mini Nutritional Assessment in elderly subjects receiving home nursing care

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Abstract
Summary: Background: Old age and disease are risk factors for malnutrition. We assessed the nutritional status in elderly receiving home nursing care. Methods: Eighty people (86% women) over the ages of 70 years (mean±SD 84±6) were investigated. One‐third had lung and/or cardiovascular disease, 10% had diabetes mellitus and the remainder had miscellaneous disorders. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scale (0–30 points), consisting of 18 point‐weighted questions, including anthropometry, e.g. body mass index (BMI, kg m−2), was used. Results: Fifty patients (62%) were assessed as having suspected malnutrition (MNA 17–23.5 points), while two were assessed as being malnourished (MNA < 17 points). The mean BMI was 22.7±5. One third of the subjects had BMI values Conclusion: Two‐thirds of the patients receiving home nursing care were assessed as having suspected or confirmed malnutrition, or were underweight. Nutritional routines may need more focus within home nursing care services.