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Validity of the portuguese version of the mini nutritional assessment in brazilian elderly
Renata Santos Pereira Machado1, Maria Auxiliadora Santa Cruz Coelho2, Renato Peixoto Veras3
1Instituto de Nutrição Josué de Castro - INJC, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro - UFRJ, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho, 373 - Ed. do Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Bloco J / 2° andar. Cidade Universitária, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brasil. renata_nut@hotmail.com.
Background:
Malnutrition is common and affects negatively the health of the older adult. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), a nutritional assessment tool allows to identify elders malnourished and at risk of malnutrition. The aim of this study is to validate the Portuguese version of the MNA.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study with 344 Brazilian elderly. The full version of the MNA was performed, also calf circumference (CC), mid arm circumference (MAC) and body fat (BF). Psychometric evaluation was carried out and correlation, diagnostic accuracy and ROC curves were generated.
Results:
Construct validity was supported, all four questionnaire dimensions were evidenced in the Principal Component Analysis and also significant Spearman correlation (P < 0.001) were demonstrated. Criterion validity was also evidenced with relevant sensitivity (MAC = 82.8; CI95% = 64.2-94.2) and specificity (CC = 80.0; CI95% = 74.0-85.1). In the ROC curve AUC was excellent (MAC = 0.832; CI95% =0.785-0.873).
Conclusions:
The full MNA demonstrated significant results and sufficient exploratory psychometric properties that supported its validity. It seems to be valid tool to access nutritional status of Brazilian elderly.
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