Recent weight loss is related to short-term mortality in nursing homes

A two-year review of weight changes and mortality in nursing home residents was completed. Factors examined included age, gender, principal diagnosis, cause of death, and amount and duration of weight loss before death. A 10% loss of body weight over a six-month interval strongly predicted mortality in the ensuing six months, with sensitivity 0.60, specificity 0.91, positive predictive value 0.62 and negative predictive value 0.90. Diagnosis and cause of death did not appear to influence this relationship. Routine weight measurements may be useful as predictors of six-month survival in certain nursing home residents.