Malnutrition and associated geriatric syndromes in older outpatients: A comprehensive analysis

This study aimed to investigate risk factors of malnutrition and the relationship between malnutrition and other geriatric syndromes in patients presenting to a geriatric outpatient clinic in Turkey.

The data of patients aged ≥65 years seen in a university geriatric outpatient clinic between January 2024 and January 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data and the results of a comprehensive geriatric assessment were noted. The presence of malnutrition in patients was defined according to the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Long Form.

A total of 723 patients (55.9% women) with a median age of 70 years (range, 65-90 years) were included. The prevalence of malnutrition was 14.5% (95% CI 12.1-17.3%) and that of malnutrition risk was 23.9% (95% CI 21.0-27.2%). Malnutrition was found to be associated with advanced age (p = 0.002), female gender (p <0.001), chronic heart failure (p = 0.001), coronary artery disease (p = 0.001), chronic lung disease (p = 0.035), osteoporosis (p = 0.001), and depression (p = 0.001). In geriatric assessment, patients with malnutrition had significantly lower scores for independence in basic and instrumental activities of daily living and cognitive function but higher comorbidity burden, number of drugs used, and depression, sarcopenia, and frailty scores (p <0.001 for all).

This study showed that malnutrition is highly prevalent in older adults and is associated with chronic diseases and geriatric syndromes such as depression, cognitive impairment, functional dependence, sarcopenia, frailty, and polypharmacy. Therefore, it is essential to provide early nutritional intervention to older individuals who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.