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An investigation of community-dwelling older adults' opinions about their nutritional needs and risk of malnutrition; a scoping review.
Castro, PD, Reynolds, CM, Kennelly, S, Geraghty, AA, Finnigan, K, McCullagh, L, Gibney, ER, Perrotta, C, Corish, CA
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2021;(5):2936-2945
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Understanding how older adults perceive their nutritional needs and malnutrition risk is important to inform strategies to improve prevention and management of the condition. This scoping review aimed to identify, characterize and summarize the findings from studies analysing community-dwelling older adults' opinions and perceptions towards their nutritional needs and malnutrition risk. METHODS An electronic literature search was carried out using three databases, Pubmed, Embase, and CINAHL up to January 2020. Articles were reviewed following PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS A total of 16,190 records were identified and reviewed with 15 studies being included, all of which were conducted in high income countries. Common conceptual categories that were identified included; older community-dwelling adults consider that a healthy diet for them is the same as that recommended for the general population, consisting of fruits, vegetables, reduced fat and reduced sugar. Weight loss was seen as a positive outcome and a normal component of the ageing process. Lack of appetite was identified by participants in the majority of studies as a barrier to food intake. CONCLUSIONS This review shows how older community-dwelling adults, with a high risk of malnutrition, follow dietary public health recommendations for the general population and have a greater awareness of the risks of overweight. The implementation of nutritional guidelines that consider the nutritional needs of all older adults and education of non-dietetic community healthcare professionals on providing appropriate nutritional advice to this population are warranted.
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Determination of Biological Age: Geriatric Assessment vs Biological Biomarkers.
Diebel, LWM, Rockwood, K
Current oncology reports. 2021;(9):104
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PURPOSE OF REVIEW Biological age is the concept of using biophysiological measures to more accurately determine an individual's age-related risk of adverse outcomes. Grading of the degree of frailty and measuring biomarkers are distinct methods of measuring biological age. This review compares these strategies for estimating biological age for clinical purposes. RECENT FINDINGS The degree of frailty predicts susceptibility to adverse outcomes independently of chronological age. The utility of this approach has been demonstrated across a range of clinical contexts. Biomarkers from various levels of the biological aging process are improving in accuracy, with the potential to identify aberrant aging trajectories before the onset of clinically manifest frailty. Grading of frailty is a demonstrably, clinically, and research-relevant proxy estimate of biological age. Emerging biomarkers can supplement this approach by identifying accelerated aging before it is clinically apparent. Some biomarkers may even offer a means by which interventions to reduce the rate of aging can be developed.
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Risk of Malnutrition upon Admission and after Discharge in Acutely Admitted Older Medical Patients: A Prospective Observational Study.
Andersen, AL, Nielsen, RL, Houlind, MB, Tavenier, J, Rasmussen, LJH, Jørgensen, LM, Treldal, C, Beck, AM, Pedersen, MM, Andersen, O, et al
Nutrients. 2021;(8)
Abstract
There is a lack of knowledge about malnutrition and risk of malnutrition upon admission and after discharge in older medical patients. This study aimed to describe prevalence, risk factors, and screening tools for malnutrition in older medical patients. In a prospective observational study, malnutrition was evaluated in 128 older medical patients (≥65 years) using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS-2002), the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) and the Eating Validation Scheme (EVS). The European Society of Clinical Nutrition (ESPEN) diagnostic criteria from 2015 were applied for diagnosis. Agreement between the screening tools was evaluated by kappa statistics. Risk factors for malnutrition included polypharmacy, dysphagia, depression, low functional capacity, eating-related problems and lowered cognitive function. Malnutrition or risk of malnutrition were prevalent at baseline (59-98%) and follow-up (30-88%). The baseline, follow-up and transitional agreements ranged from slight to moderate. NRS-2002 and MNA-SF yielded the highest agreement (kappa: 0.31 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.18-0.44) to 0.57 (95%CI 0.42-0.72)). Prevalence of risk factors ranged from 17-68%. Applying ESPEN 2015 diagnostic criteria, 15% had malnutrition at baseline and 13% at follow-up. In conclusion, malnutrition, risk of malnutrition and risk factors hereof are prevalent in older medical patients. MNA-SF and NRS-2002 showed the highest agreement at baseline, follow-up, and transitionally.
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Impact of specialized oral nutritional supplement on clinical, nutritional, and functional outcomes: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in community-dwelling older adults at risk of malnutrition.
Chew, STH, Tan, NC, Cheong, M, Oliver, J, Baggs, G, Choe, Y, How, CH, Chow, WL, Tan, CYL, Kwan, SC, et al
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2021;(4):1879-1892
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The world's over-65 population is expanding rapidly, and the risk of malnutrition is prevalent in this population. Meeting nutritional needs is a recognized strategy to reduce and address multiple debilitating adverse health outcomes associated with malnutrition. The objective of this randomized, controlled trial was to determine the effects of oral nutritional supplement (ONS) containing beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB), along with dietary counseling, on health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults at risk of malnutrition. METHODS Strengthening Health In ELDerly through nutrition (SHIELD) studied adults aged ≥ 65 years in Singapore who were recruited between August 2017 and March 2019. Participants were community ambulant and classified as medium or high risk for malnutrition using Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). Participants (n = 811) were randomly assigned to one of two study treatments for 180 days: (i) two servings/day of ONS containing HMB with dietary counseling (n = 405) or (ii) two servings/day of placebo supplement with dietary counseling (n = 406). The primary composite outcome was 'survival without hospital (re)admission and with at least 5% weight gain to day 180'. Dietary intakes, nutritional and functional outcomes were measured at baseline, 30, 90, and 180 days. RESULTS A higher proportion in intervention group met the 180-day primary composite outcome compared to placebo (33.4% vs. 8.7%, P < 0.001), largely driven by body weight component (36.2% vs. 9.4%, P < 0.001). Survival and hospital (re)admission rate were not significantly different between the groups. Weight, BMI, and mid upper arm circumference were significantly greater in the intervention group compared to placebo during the study (all P < 0.001), and at days 30, 90, and 180 (all P < 0.05). The odds of having better nutritional status during the study were also significantly higher in the intervention group compared to placebo, as measured using MUST risk (OR = 2.68, P < 0.001) and vitamin D status (OR = 4.23, P < 0.001). Intervention group had significantly higher energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate intakes than the placebo group (all P ≤ 0.017). Leg strength at day 90 was significantly greater for the intervention group than for the placebo group (LSM ± SE: 12.85 ± 0.22 vs. 12.17 ± 0.22; P = 0.030). Handgrip strength for females was significantly higher at day 180 for the intervention group compared to placebo (LSM ± SE: 14.18 ± 0.17 vs. 13.70 ± 0.17; P = 0.048). Within the low appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) subgroup, the intervention group had significantly greater calf circumference at days 90 and 180 compared to placebo (both P ≤ 0.0289). CONCLUSIONS For community-dwelling older adults at risk of malnutrition, daily consumption of specialized ONS containing HMB and vitamin D for six months, along with dietary counseling, significantly improved nutritional and functional outcomes compared to placebo supplement with dietary counseling. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION www.ClinicalTrials.govNCT03245047.
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Impact of nutritional status according to GLIM criteria on the risk of incident frailty and mortality in community-dwelling older adults.
Rodríguez-Mañas, L, Rodríguez-Sánchez, B, Carnicero, JA, Rueda, R, García-Garcia, FJ, Pereira, SL, Sulo, S
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2021;(3):1192-1198
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Poor nutritional status leads to multiple adverse outcomes, but few studies have assessed its role as a risk factor for incident frailty and death in community-dwelling older adults. Hence, the aim of this paper is to assess the role of nutritional status using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria in the risk of frailty and mortality in Spanish community-dwelling older adults. METHODS We used data from two waves (waves 2 (2011-2013) and 3 (2015-2017)) from the Toledo Study of Healthy Ageing, which is an observational, prospective cohort (average follow-up = 3.18 years) of 1660 older (≥65 years) adults living in the community. Nutritional status categories were defined according to the GLIM criteria, which uses a two-step approach. First, screening for malnutrition risk. Once positive, individuals were classified as malnourished according to some phenotypic (body mass index, grip strength and unintentional weight loss) and etiologic (disease burden/inflammation and reduced food intake or assimilation) criteria. Frailty was assessed using both the Frailty Index (FI) and Frailty Trait Scale (FTS). Mortality data was obtained through the National Death Index. RESULTS From the 1660 older adults, 248 participants (14.04%) were classified as 'at malnutrition risk' (AMR) and 209 (12.59%) as malnourished (MN). AMR and MN subjects were older and with worse functional status (frailer). Adjusted cross-sectional analysis showed an association between nutritional status and frailty by both FI and FTS. Adjusted longitudinal analyses showed that AMR was associated with higher risk of frailty, using both the FTS (OR: 1.262; 95% CI: 1.078-1.815) and the FI (OR: 1.116; 95% CI: 1.098-1.686), while being malnourished was associated with higher mortality risk (OR: 1.748; 95% CI: 1.073-2.849), but not with incident frailty at follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS Nutritional status, assessed through GLIM, predicts in a dose-dependent manner the risk of frailty and death. Being at malnutrition risk predicts the risk of becoming frail at follow-up period, whereas being malnourished predicts mortality. These findings highlight the importance of assessing the nutritional status of community-dwelling older adults to identify the ones at risk of developing frailty or death and inform targeted nutrition-focused interventions.
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Does a 12-Month Transitional Care Model Intervention by Geriatric-Experienced Care Professionals Improve Nutritional Status of Older Patients after Hospital Discharge? A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Chareh, N, Rappl, A, Rimmele, M, Wingenfeld, K, Freiberger, E, Sieber, CC, Volkert, D
Nutrients. 2021;(9)
Abstract
At hospital discharge, many older patients are at health and nutritional risk, indicating a requirement for ongoing care. We aim to evaluate the effects of comprehensive individualized care by geriatric-experienced care professionals, the so-called "pathfinders", on nutritional status (NS) of older patients after discharge. A total of 244 patients (median age 81.0 years) without major cognitive impairment were randomized to Intervention Group (IG: 123) or Control Group (CG: 121) for a 12-month intervention, with up to 7 home visits and 11 phone calls. The comprehensive individualized care contained nutritional advice, when required. The intervention effect after three (T3m) and 12 (T12m) months on change in MNA-SF (Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form) and BMI was evaluated by Univariate General Linear Model (ANOVA), adjusted for age, sex, living situation, and activities of daily living. At baseline, mean MNA-SF did not differ between IG and CG (10.7 ± 2.6 vs. 11.2 ± 2.5, p = 0.148); however, mean BMI was significantly lower in IG compared to CG (27.2 ± 4.7 vs. 28.8 ± 4.8 kg/m2, p = 0.012). At T3m, mean change did not differ significantly between the groups, neither in MNA-SF (0.6; 95%CI: -0.1-1.3 vs. 0.4; -0.3-1.1, p = 0.708) nor in BMI (-0.2; -0.6-0.1 vs. 0.0; -0.4-0.4 kg/m2, p = 0.290). At T12m, mean change of MNA-SF was significantly higher in IG than in CG (1.4; 0.5-2.3 vs. 0.0; -0.9-0.8; p = 0.012). BMI remained unchanged in IG, whereas it slightly declined in CG (0.0; -0.7-0.6 vs. -0.9; -1.6--0.2 kg/m2, p = 0.034). We observed rather small effects of comprehensive individualized care by pathfinders on NS in older patients 12 months after discharge. For more pronounced effects nutrition expertise might be needed.
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Diagnosis of overweight or obese malnutrition spells DOOM for hip fracture patients: A prospective audit.
Bell, JJ, Pulle, RC, Lee, HB, Ferrier, R, Crouch, A, Whitehouse, SL
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2021;(4):1905-1910
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Crude diagnostic parameters such as BMI limit recognition of malnutrition in overweight and obese patients. This study applied a robust malnutrition diagnostic measure to investigate whether malnutrition impacts clinical outcomes in overweight or obese hip fracture inpatients. METHODS A prospective, consecutive 12-month audit of inpatients admitted to a dedicated hip fracture unit with a BMI of ≥25 for surgical intervention. Univariate and logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the relationship of demographics (age, gender), comparative measures (type of fracture, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) on admission, time to surgery, type of surgery and anaesthesia, nutrition status) and outcome measures (delirium, time to mobilise post-operatively, length of stay, 12-month mortality). Malnutrition was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision - Australian Modification protein-energy malnutrition criteria. RESULTS 127 overweight or obese hip fracture patients for surgical intervention were included in analyses. Patients were predominantly older females (median 81.0, range 48-97 years; 66.9%). Malnutrition prevalence was not infrequent (18.3%) despite the median BMI of 28.3 (range 25.0-63.9). Mortality at 12-months (17.3%) was lower than routinely reported across broader hip fracture populations. Logistic regression modelling demonstrated that malnutrition increased the likelihood of 12-month mortality (OR: 4.47, 95% CI 1.27-15.77; p = 0.020), post-operative delirium (OR: 3.64, 95% CI 1.00 to 13.33; p = 0.051), and delayed post-operative mobility (OR: 3.29, 95% CI 1.05 to 10.31; p = 0.041), in overweight or obese hip fracture patients. Length of stay demonstrated poor association with all predictor measures. CONCLUSION Hip fracture patients who are both overweight or obese, and malnourished, have significantly and substantially worse clinical outcomes than their well-nourished, albeit overweight or obese, counterparts. Comprehensive nutrition assessment measures should be applied to all hip fracture inpatients to ensure appropriate clinical nutrition care is appropriately directed.
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Comprehensive geriatric assessment in older adults with cancer: Recommendations by the Italian Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology (SIGG).
Fusco, D, Ferrini, A, Pasqualetti, G, Giannotti, C, Cesari, M, Laudisio, A, Ballestrero, A, Scabini, S, Odetti, PR, Colloca, GF, et al
European journal of clinical investigation. 2021;(1):e13347
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INTRODUCTION Optimizing the approach to older adults with cancer is now a priority given the increasing frequency of new cancer diagnoses that are made in the older population. The comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) represents the gold-standard for (1) defining prognosis and ability to withstand cancer treatments, (2) exploring the multiple aspects that define the complexity of frail older persons, and (3) designing person-tailored interventions. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this document, based on a comprehensive revision of the literature, the Italian Society for Geriatrics and Gerontology proposes a CGA model (ONCOGER CGA) to be adopted by oncology centers for their routine approach to older patients with cancer. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A widespread use of this standardized CGA format will facilitate comparisons across institutions, promote studies based on a multidimensional patient assessment, and foster the inclusion of geriatric endpoints in oncological clinical trials. Furthermore, we predict that the use of a standardized CGA approach will increase the integration of geriatricians into oncology care teams with the final result of improving therapeutic choices and clinical outcomes.
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Impact of a Geriatric Intervention to Improve Screening and Management of Undernutrition in Older Patients Undergoing Surgery for Colorectal Cancer: Results of the ANC Stepped-Wedge Trial.
Gilbert, T, Bernard, L, Alexandre, M, Bin-Dorel, S, Villeneuve, L, Decullier, E, Bonnefoy, M, Anc Working Group,
Nutrients. 2021;(7)
Abstract
Almost two in three patients who are aged 75 years and older and scheduled for surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC) are undernourished. Despite evidence that perioperative nutritional management can improve patients outcomes, international guidelines are still insufficiently applied in current practice. In this stepped-wedge cluster-randomized study of five surgical hospitals, we included 147 patients aged 70 years or older with scheduled abdominal surgery for CRC between October 2013 and December 2016. In the intervention condition, an outreach team comprising a geriatrician and a dietician visited patients and staff in surgical wards to assist with the correct application of guidelines. Evaluation, diagnosis, and prescription (according to nutritional status) were considered appropriate and strictly consistent with guidelines in 39.2% of patients in the intervention group compared to only 1.4% in the control group (p = 0.0002). Prescription of oral nutritional supplements during the perioperative period was significantly improved (41.9% vs. 4.1%; p < 0.0001). However, there were no benefits of the intervention on surgical complications or adverse events. A possible benefit of hospital stay reduction will need to be confirmed in further studies. This study highlights the importance of the implementation of quality improvement interventions into current practice for the perioperative nutritional management of older patients with CRC.
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[Why and how to assess older people with cancer?].
Helissey, C, Geiss, R, Baldini, C, Noret, A, Frelaut, M, Rodrigues, M, Bringuier, M
Bulletin du cancer. 2021;(5):513-520
Abstract
The older population accounts for almost 60% of new cancers. Their management is a public health problem and is complex. It raises different questions: Is the patient's prognosis linked to cancer or another pathology? The heterogeneity of this population emphasises the importance of the overall condition assessment, in particular to avoid over-treatment (or under-treatment), and to be able to identify frail or vulnerable elderly patients who are at risk of having more treatment toxicities. Through this article, we will recall the importance of geriatric in-depth evaluation (EGA) by detailing the different factors that impact the therapeutic decision, tolerance to treatments… This EGA is however time-consuming and not all patients can be evaluated. In order to identify the subjects covered by this EGA, screening scales have been developed. Finally, we will develop the place of research in oncogeriatric management.