[Utility of dehydrated products in texture modified diets in elderly ambulatory patients]

The main objective of our work was to evaluate the influence in elderly ambulatory patients with dysphagia of a texture modified diet with dehydrated nutritional products on nutritional parameters and quality of life.

We enrolled 22 patients from the Nutrition Departament who had dysphagia and an age over 70 years. Patients received a texture modified diet supplemented with dehydrated nutritional products (Resource Mix Instant).

A total of 22 patients were recruited with a gender distribution of 67% (n = 15) females, 33% (n = 7) males, and an average age of 79.6 +/- 8.39 years. After treatment, we observed an improvement in fat free mass (39.8 +/- 3.14 kg vs 41.9 +/- 1.4 kg; p < 0.05), total proteins (6.1 [1.1] g/dl vs 6,8 [0.7] g/dl: p < 0.05), transferrin (145 [46] mg/dl vs. 198.5 [64] mg/dl; p < 0.05), albumin (2.7 [0.8] g/dl vs 3.3 [0.8] g/dl; p < 0.05) and lymphocytes (10(3U)/ml) (1367 [742] vs 1707 [898]: p < 0.05). Caloric, protein, fat and carbohydrates intakes increased in a significant way. In addition, the quality of life improved significantly (SF 36 score 95.7[13] vs 99.3[10]; p < 0.05).

Incorporation of dehydrated nutritional products improved the dietary intake, nutritional status and quality of life in ambulatory elderly patients with dysphagia.