De La Montana J, Miguez M. Suitability of the short-form Mini Nutritional Assessment in free-living elderly people in the northwest of Spain.
J Nutr Health Aging 2011;
15:187-91. [PMID:
21369665 DOI:
10.1007/s12603-010-0332-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test and the short-form MNA (MNA-SF) as screening tools for malnutrition risk and malnutrition in the free-living elderly of northwestern Spain.
DESIGN
transversal study.
SETTING
free-living elderly people of northwestern Spain.
SUBJECTS
728 participants (36.4% men and 63.6% women), the average of age for both genders was 80.7 ± 7.4.
RESULTS
according to MNA screening 12.5% subjects were classified as undernutrition (MNA < 17) and 57.5% were at risk for undernutrition (17 ≤ MNA ≤ 23.5). Significant correlations were found between MNA-SF and the full version (r=0.916; p < 0.000). The sensibility and specificity of the MNA-SF for the full MNA version were 81.4% and 92.7%, respectively. The regression analyses showed that weight loss had more influence on the MNA score, followed by the Body Mass Index (BMI), acute illness or psychological stress, mobility, self-perceived health status and neuropsychological problems.
CONCLUSIONS
These data showed a high prevalence of undernutrition risk among the free-living elderly people in northwestern Spain using the MNA test in two steps. The high sensitivity and specificity of MNA-SF might be sufficient for medical practice to identify patients at undernutrition risk or undernutrition. Generally, the full MNA confirmed the diagnosis for persons identified at risk by the MNA-SF, and planning was needed for nutritional interventions.
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