Development of a protein energy malnutrition screening tool for older Thais in public residential homes

Association between glycaemic control and malnutrition in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a cross-sectional study

Malnutrition is a major problem among older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Some studies suggest that well glycaemic control increases the risk of frailty due to reduced intake. Therefore, it could be hypothesised that adequate glycaemic controlled patients may be at risk of malnutrition. This study aimed to examine, in older adults with T2DM, the association between adequate glycaemic control and malnutrition as well as identify the risk factors for malnutrition. Data including general characteristics, health status, depression, functional abilities, cognition and nutrition status were analysed. Poor nutritional status is defined as participants assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment as being at risk of malnutrition or malnourished. Adequate glycaemic control refers to an HbA1c level that meets the target base in the American Diabetes Association 2022 guidelines with individualised criteria. There were 287 participants with a median (interquartile range) age of 64 (61-70) years, a prevalence of poor nutrition, 15 %, and adequate glycaemic control, 83·6 %. This study found no association between adequate glycaemic control and poor nutrition (P = 0·67). The factors associated with poor nutritional status were low monthly income (adjusted OR (AOR) 4·66, 95 % CI 1·28, 16·98 for income < £118 and AOR 7·80, 95 % CI 1·74, 34·89 for income £118-355), unemployment (AOR 4·23, 95 % CI 1·51, 11·85) and cognitive impairment (AOR 5·28, 95 % CI 1·56, 17·93). These findings support the notion that older adults with T2DM should be encouraged to maintain adequate glycaemic control without concern for malnutrition, especially those who have low income, unemployment or decreased cognitive functions.

Effect of dentures and dietary advice on protein intake in older Thai adults with missing posterior occluding teeth

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effectiveness of dentures with dietary advice and dentures alone on protein intake in older Thai adults.

BACKGROUND

Dentures combined with nutritional advice may improve protein intake in older adults with posterior tooth loss. However, evidence is limited, especially in developing countries.

METHODS

A randomised-control trial including 69 older adults with less than four pairs of posterior occluding teeth was conducted for 3 months. The experimental group received dentures and dietary advice based on the Health Belief Model (HBM); the control group received dentures alone. Three-day dietary records were collected and protein intake was assessed using INMUCAL-NUTRIENTS V.4.0 software at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after the intervention. Data were analysed using a t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, and repeated-measure ANOVA.

RESULTS

Both groups reported significantly increased protein intake (control group = 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 g kg BW-1  d-1 , intervention = 0.4, 0.6, 0.7 g kg BW-1  d-1 , at baseline, 1 month and 3 months, respectively). However, participants in the experimental group had significantly higher total protein (36.3 vs. 39.8 g/d, P = .032) and animal protein intake (18.9 vs. 23.2 g/day, P = .020) than those in the control group at 3 months after the intervention; plant protein intake was similar (10.9 vs. 11.5 g/day, P = .923). In addition, the HBM scores of the experimental group were higher than those of the control group after the intervention (P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Dentures combined with dietary advice significantly increased the total and animal protein intake of older people with posterior tooth loss more than dentures alone. To maintain optimal protein intake, dental practitioners should incorporate dietary advice when providing dental prostheses to older adults with posterior tooth loss.