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[Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test as a tool of nutritional evaluation in hospitalized patients]
O Izaola1, D A de Luis Román, G Cabezas
1Sección de Endocrinología y Nutrición Clínica, Hospital Universitario del Río Hortega, Valladolid. olatzizaola@yahoo.com
Objective:
The objective of the study was to identified the prevalence of malnutrition in come patients with MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment) test as a clinical tool.
Methods:
A total of 145 patients were studied in Hospital del Río Hortega (Valladolid), from mars of 2000 till may of 2002. In all patients a MNA test, an anthropometric and biochemical evaluation were performed.
Results:
Mean age was 57.44 +/- 18.06 years, weight 63.5 +/- 13.7 kg and body mass index 23.4 +/- 4.9 kg/m2. The studied population were 48.6% haematological tumours and other tumours, opposite to the rest of the patients who were presenting cerebro-vascular accidents 2.1%, respiratory problems or infections 16.8%, renal failure 3.5% and neurological diseases or processes of dementia in minor proportion 2.9%. Patients were divided in two groups, malnutrition MNA < 17 (n = 99) (group I) and risk of malnutrition MNA = 17 (n = 43) (group II). The malnutrition prevalence was 68.2% (group I) and risk of malnutrition 29.6% (group II) with test MNA. In biochemical evaluation the malnutrition group I had low levels of albumin (2.9 +/- 0.7 g/dl vs 3.41 +/- 2.71 g/dl; p < 0.05), prealbumin (14.9 +/- 6.2 g/dl vs 17.6 +/- 8.1 g/dl; p < 0.05) and transferrin (152.2 +/- 54.9 g/dl vs 189.9 +/- 32.6 g/dl; p < 0.05. Arm muscular circumference and arm circumference had values under average in patients with malnutrition. On having analyzed the different paragraphs of the test MNA between both groups, it was observed since in the group of undernourished patients the punctuation he was below the average in all the paragraphs.
Conclusions:
The risk of malnutrition in hospital was frequent, detected by MNA test.
Insights
The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test revealed a high prevalence of malnutrition and at-risk patients in a hospital setting. This highlights the need for nutritional screening in hospitalized individuals.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Nutrition
- Geriatrics
- Internal Medicine
Context:
- Hospitalized patients face significant risks of malnutrition.
- Early detection of malnutrition is crucial for patient outcomes.
- The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is a validated tool for nutritional screening.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of malnutrition in hospitalized patients using the MNA test.
- To assess the utility of the MNA test as a clinical tool for identifying malnutrition risk.
Summary:
- A study of 145 patients found a malnutrition prevalence of 68.2% (MNA < 17) and a risk of malnutrition in 29.6% (MNA = 17).
- Malnourished patients exhibited lower albumin, prealbumin, and transferrin levels, along with reduced arm muscle and arm circumference.
- All MNA test components were lower in the malnourished group, indicating widespread nutritional deficits.
Impact:
- The MNA test effectively identifies a high frequency of malnutrition risk among hospitalized patients.
- Findings underscore the importance of implementing routine nutritional assessments in hospital care.
- This study provides evidence for the clinical utility of the MNA in diverse patient populations.
