The nutritional situation in Swedish nursing homes - a longitudinal study

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Nutritional Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Poor nutritional status is a significant issue in the elderly population, linked to higher rates of illness and death.
• This problem is particularly prevalent in individuals residing in nursing homes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To longitudinally track the nutritional status of elderly individuals living in Swedish nursing homes.
• To identify changes in nutritional status over a 24-month period and their correlation with health outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A longitudinal study involving 318 residents from 11 nursing homes in Sweden.
• Nutritional status was assessed at baseline and after 24 months using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA).
• Data on medical treatment and patient history were collected by trained nurses.

Main Results:

• At baseline, 17.7% of participants were malnourished, 40.3% were at risk, and 41.6% were well-nourished.
• Malnourished individuals had significantly lower survival rates.
• After 24 months, nearly half the participants had died. Among survivors, malnutrition prevalence increased from 10.6% to 24.6%.
• 38.7% of participants experienced a decline in nutritional status over 24 months. Deteriorating nutritional status correlated with higher weight, BMI, and hospitalization rates.

Conclusions:

• The prevalence of malnutrition increases over time in nursing home residents.
• Regular nutritional assessment and timely interventions are crucial for both malnourished individuals and those at risk to prevent decline.
• Nutritional interventions may benefit even well-nourished groups to maintain their status and prevent future decline.