The Global Malnutrition Composite Score: Impacting malnutrition care

The presence and impact of malnutrition in adult hospitalized patients has been well documented by a significant body of literature. However, current malnutrition care practices often vary widely and frequently lack standardization. The Global Malnutrition Composite Score (GMCS), the first nutrition-related electronic clinical quality measure, is intended to evaluate the quality of malnutrition care provided to inpatient adults. This measure aims to aid in standardizing malnutrition care through performance measurement. The four components of the measure (nutrition screening, nutrition assessment, malnutrition diagnosis, and nutrition care plans) follow the well-established Nutrition Care Process and encourage the use of standardized terminology. Facilities with high-performance scores on the GMCS are likely to experience improved outcomes associated with high-quality malnutrition care.

Deprescribing potential of commonly used medications among community-dwelling older adults: insights from a pharmacist's geriatric assessment

Pharmacist's geriatric assessment can provide valuable insights into potential deprescribing targets, while including important information on various health-related domains. Data collected from a geriatric assessment questionnaire, for 388 patients, from the Croatian cohort of the EuroAgeism H2020 ESR 7 international project, along with guideline-based deprescribing criteria, were used to analyse potentially inappropriate prescribing of four medication groups (benzodiazepines (BZN), proton pump inhibitors (PPI), opioids, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)), and to assess the deprescribing potential. Binary logistic regression was used to explore the effects of age, gender, number of medicines and diagnoses, self-reported health, frailty score, and healthcare utilization on the likelihood of needing deprescribing. More than half of participants (n = 216, 55.2%) are candidates for deprescribing, with 31.1% of PPI, 74.8% of NSAID, 75% of opioid, and 96.1% of BZN users meeting at least one criterion. Most common criteria for deprescribing were inappropriately long use and safety concerns. Women (aOR = 2.58; p < 0.001), those reporting poor self-reported health (aOR = 5.14; p < 0.001), and those exposed to polypharmacy (aOR = 1.29; p < 0.001) had higher odds of needing to have medicines deprescribed. The high rate of deprescribing potential warrants prompt action to increase patient safety and decrease polypharmacy. Pharmacist's geriatric assessment and deprescribing-focused medication review could be used to lead a personalised approach.

Nutritional status in older people - An explorative analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

The nutritional status is seldom defined in general, but is considered to be important throughout life span, especially in times of diseases and disabilities. We previously proposed a theoretical model of the nutritional status from a functional perspective [1], however without proposing a definition of the nutritional status. The model comprises four domains that might affect the nutritional and functional status in a bidirectional way. These four domains are: Food and nutrition; Health and somatic disorders; Physical function and capacity; and Cognitive, affective, and sensory function. This study contributes to the existing literature and knowledge by empirically analysing patterns and relationships of possible nutritional status indicators within and between the four domains.

METHODS

This study is based on a sample of 69 men and women; older than 65 years, receiving home health care. They were followed up for three years. A broad set of nutritional status indicators in the participants were assessed in their home yearly. Given the small sample size and large number of variables, we used both correlation and factor analysis to explore patterns of nutritional status indicators within the four domains and relationships between the four domains suggested by the theoretical model of nutritional status which we proposed earlier.

RESULTS

At baseline, between 4 and 18 components were extracted from the four domains, separately, using factor analysis. The first three components of each domain (called main components) were correlated (p < 0.05) with at least one of the main components of each of the other three domains (r = -0.34-0.79 at baseline, 0.38-0.74 at year 1, 0.40-0.77 at year 2 and 0.47-0.71 at year 3). At baseline, these main components explained, respectively, 31%, 52%, 57% and 63% of the sample variation in the four domains. This remained stable throughout all three years of follow up. In all four domains, there were statistically significant differences in prevalence of malnutrition, frailty, sarcopenia, and dehydration (all different inadequate nutritional status) between individuals' individual component scores.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides empirical evidence for the relationship between nutritional status indicators within and between the four domains suggested by our theoretical model of nutritional status. Components in all four domains were associated with inadequate nutritional status, highlighting that a wide perspective of the nutritional status assessment is necessary to be applied in clinical practice.

Loneliness: An Overlooked Contributing Factor in Anorexia of Older Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease and Focal Point for Interventions to Enhance Nutritional Status-An Overview of Evidence and Areas of Suggested Research

Although research has shown that loneliness can contribute to anorexia in older non-ESRD (end-stage renal disease) populations, and the benefits of its mitigation with improving appetite, nutrient, and caloric intake, its implications for older patients with ESRD have been overlooked. This article provides an overview of evidence on the potential contributing role of loneliness in anorexia of older patients with ESRD, and loneliness as a focal point for interventions to help improve nutritional status. Areas of needed research are suggested in the course of the analysis. With a 41%-83% projected rise in the prevalence of patients in the United States with ESRD by 2030, and demographic population trends showing that an ever-increasing number will be living alone, there is a long overdue need to better understand the implications of loneliness for this nutritionally vulnerable population. KEYWORDS: Chronic kidney disease; loneliness; anorexia; malnutrition; protein energy wasting.

Nutrition assessment and geriatric associated conditions among free living elderly people in Birjand, East of Iran: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Few data are available on the nutritional status of Iranian geriatric population. The present study aimed to determine the nutritional status of older adults' population in Birjand, East of Iran.

METHODS

The community-based cohort study was performed on older adults population (60 years and older) living in urban and rural areas of Birjand. The mini nutritional assessment (MNA) questionnaire was used to assess nutritional status. Anthropometric and biochemical evaluation were also performed for all of the participants.

RESULTS

A total of 1417 geriatric person were enrolled in this study, which, most of them were female (51.9 %). According to MNA tool, most of the participants (73.3 %) had normal nutrition (MNA score ≥ 24). Malnourished (MNA score < 17) and at high risk of malnutrition (MNA score: 17- 23.5) were constituted 0.9 % and 25.8 % of the participants, respectively. Marital status, occupation, period of education and family member were associated with nutritional status. Multiple logistic regression showed that with increase of body mass index (BMI) (OR = 0.96), education years (OR = 0.95), hemoglobin (OR = 0.86) and lymphocyte (OR = 0.98), the odds of malnutrition decreased, but with increase of age the odds (1.03) of malnutrition is also elevated.

CONCLUSIONS

MNA could successfully forecast the risk of malnutrition and malnourished people. Sociodemographic factors are associated with the nutritional status.

Use of telehealth in home nutrition support: Challenges and advantages

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), after initially being detected in Wuhan, China in late 2019, quickly spread to most regions of the world, meeting World Health Organization criteria for a pandemic. Social distancing along with other measures implemented to control spread had a drastic impact on the provision of healthcare including deferred elective procedures and surgeries as well as delayed care and evaluation for emergent diagnoses such as heart attacks and strokes. In the home nutrition practice, patients began to delay routine laboratory tests and were canceling or deferring annual visits. Our group soon began to rapidly deploy telehealth to meet the needs of the home nutrition patients. Telehealth is not a new concept with descriptions of healthcare being provided at a distance with the use of telephone in the 1870s. However, widespread adoption has been limited because of regulation (licensure, prescriptions, credentialing, and privileges), lack of reimbursement, as well as adoption and availability of technology needed to carry out telehealth visits. As regulations and limits on reimbursements were waived during COVID-19 pandemic, our home nutrition practice began to evaluate core components of the care we provide for our patients and assess which could be successfully transitioned to telehealth. In addition to the history and regulation of telehealth, the current manuscript provides details regarding successful implementation of telehealth visits such as change management, selection of telehealth platform, scheduling and logistics, as well as carrying out the virtual visit including history and physical exam.

Malnutrition According to GLIM Criteria Is Associated with Mortality and Hospitalizations in Rehabilitation Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Malnutrition has a negative impact on patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD). The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of malnutrition, defined by the Global Leadership Initiative for Malnutrition (GLIM), in stable COPD patients referred to pulmonary rehabilitation, and to explore potential associations of malnutrition according to GLIM, and its components, with increased risk of mortality and hospitalizations in 2 years. In a post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort of 200 rehabilitation patients with stable COPD, main outcome variables were hospital admissions, length of stay, and mortality during a 2-year follow-up. Covariates were malnutrition according to GLIM and its phenotypic criteria: unintentional weight loss, low body mass index (BMI), and low fat-free mass (FFM). Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed using logistic and proportional hazard Cox regression. Malnutrition according to GLIM showed 45% prevalence and was associated with increased mortality risk. Low age-related BMI and FFM were independently associated with mortality, which persisted after adjustment for age and lung function. Malnutrition and low BMI were also associated with increased risk of hospitalization. Malnutrition according to GLIM criteria was highly prevalent in rehabilitation patients with COPD and was associated with nearly 3 times greater mortality and hospitalization risk.

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Nutrition-Related Assessment: A Cross-Sectional Survey for Health Professionals

(1) Background: It is important to assess physical and nutritional status using the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). However, the correlation between the CGA usage and nutritional-related assessments remain unclear. This study aims to clarify the correlation between the CGA usage and other nutritional-related assessments. (2) Methods: We conducted a questionnaire survey on clinical use of CGA, assessment of sarcopenia/sarcopenic dysphagia/cachexia, and defining nutritional goals/the Nutrition Care Process/the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF)/the Kuchi–Kara Taberu Index. (3) Results: The number of respondents was 652 (response rate, 12.0%), including 77 who used the CGA in the general practice. The univariate analyses revealed that participants using the CGA tended to assess sarcopenia (P = 0.029), sarcopenic dysphagia (P = 0.001), and define nutritional goals (P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses for the CGA usage revealed that using ICF (P < 0.001), assessing sarcopenia (P = 0.001), sarcopenic dysphagia (P = 0.022), and cachexia (P = 0.039), and defining nutritional goals (P = 0.001) were statistically significant after adjusting for confounders. (4) Conclusions: There are correlations between the use of CGA and evaluation of sarcopenia, sarcopenic dysphagia, and cachexia and nutritional goals.

Malnutrition according to ESPEN definition predicts long-term mortality in general older population: Findings from the EPIDOS study-Toulouse cohort

BACKGROUND

The European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) has developed a consensus definition of malnutrition. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition according to the ESPEN definition in otherwise healthy community-dwelling older women and to explore its value for predicting long-term mortality in this population.

METHODS

This prospective population-based cohort study included 181 women (age ≥75 years) from a subsample of the EPIDémiologie de l'OStéoporose (EPIDOS) study participants from Toulouse. Inclusion criteria were the availability of the data on variables required to apply the ESPEN definition and survival after 7 years of follow-up. Primary outcome was mortality at 12-year follow-up; main covariates were malnutrition assessment according to the ESPEN consensus and its components (unintentional weight loss, BMI, and FFMI). Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at baseline and at 7-year follow-up. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and adjusted Cox regressions were performed. Analysis was adjusted for age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary heart disease as potential confounders.

RESULTS

Complete data were available for 179 of the 181 women in the EPIDOS-Toulouse cohort (83.1 ± 2.2 years) and 13 (7.3%) fulfilled the ESPEN definition for malnutrition at 7-year follow-up. Malnutrition was associated with increased risk of mortality (adjusted HR = 4.4 [95%CI: 1.7-11.3]). Among the ESPEN components, only BMI was associated with increased mortality (adjusted HR=0.6 [95%CI: 0.4-0.9]).

CONCLUSIONS

Although malnutrition prevalence according to the ESPEN definition was relatively low (7.3%) in this sample of otherwise healthy community-dwelling older French women, malnutrition was associated with 4.4-fold higher mortality risk at 12-year follow-up.

Malnutrition according to ESPEN consensus predicts hospitalizations and long-term mortality in rehabilitation patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Nutritional disorders are frequent in patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) and have negative health impacts. This study aimed to explore the value of the European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) definition of malnutrition (and/or its individual components) to predict hospitalizations and mortality at 2 years, and to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in COPD patients referred to pulmonary rehabilitation.

METHODS

The study was a prospective analysis of 118 patients with COPD free of exacerbations and/or hospital admissions in the previous two months. Main outcome variables were mortality, hospital admissions, and length of stay at 2-year follow-up; main covariates were malnutrition assessment according to the ESPEN definition and its components: unintentional weight loss, body mass index, and fat-free mass index (FFMI). Body composition was assessed by bioimpedance analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and linear regression analyses were performed, adjusting for age and airflow obstruction as potential confounders.

RESULTS

The observed prevalence of malnutrition was 24.6%. Malnutrition was associated with increased mortality risk (HR = 3.9 [95% CI: 1.4-10.62]). FFMI was independently associated with increased mortality (HR = 17.0 [95% CI: 2.24-129.8]), which persisted after adjustment for age and lung function (adjusted HR = 13.0 [95% CI: 1.67-101.7]). Low age-related body mass index was associated with increased risk of hospital admissions.

CONCLUSIONS

Malnutrition according to ESPEN criteria, highly prevalent in patients with stable COPD referred to pulmonary rehabilitation, was associated with 4 times greater mortality risk after 2 years. Low FFMI was associated with a 17-fold increase in mortality risk, suggesting independent predictive value.

Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Care for Early Recommencement of Oral Intake in Older Adults With Severe Pneumonia

HOW TO OBTAIN CONTACT HOURS BY READING THIS ARTICLE INSTRUCTIONS 1.3 contact hours will be awarded by Villanova University College of Nursing upon successful completion of this activity. A contact hour is a unit of measurement that denotes 60 minutes of an organized learning activity. This is a learner-based activity. Villanova University College of Nursing does not require submission of your answers to the quiz. A contact hour certificate will be awarded once you register, pay the registration fee, and complete the evaluation form online at http://goo.gl/gMfXaf. To obtain contact hours you must: 1. Read the article, "Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Care for Early Recommencement of Oral Intake in Older Adults With Severe Pneumonia" found on pages 21-29, carefully noting any tables and other illustrative materials that are included to enhance your knowledge and understanding of the content. Be sure to keep track of the amount of time (number of minutes) you spend reading the article and completing the quiz. 2. Read and answer each question on the quiz. After completing all of the questions, compare your answers to those provided within this issue. If you have incorrect answers, return to the article for further study. 3. Go to the Villanova website listed above to register for contact hour credit. You will be asked to provide your name; contact information; and a VISA, MasterCard, or Discover card number for payment of the $20.00 fee. Once you complete the online evaluation, a certificate will be automatically generated. This activity is valid for continuing education credit until September 30, 2019. CONTACT HOURS This activity is co-provided by Villanova University College of Nursing and SLACK Incorporated. Villanova University College of Nursing is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation. ACTIVITY OBJECTIVES 1. Describe the effect of multidisciplinary comprehensive care (MDCC) on oral intake in older adults with severe pneumonia at the time of discharge. 2. Explore the impact of MDCC on the length of stay for hospitalized older adults with severe pneumonia. DISCLOSURE STATEMENT Neither the planners nor the authors have any conflicts of interest to disclose. The current study was designed to assess the effect of multidisciplinary comprehensive care (MDCC) on (a) oral intake at discharge and (b) hospital stay duration in older adult patients with severe pneumonia. Participants were divided into two groups: receiving and not receiving MDCC. MDCC comprises regular assessment of swallowing ability, aspiration risk management, improvement of oral hygiene, serving of nutritious texture-modified foods, and encouragement of early mobilization. The MDCC group (164 women, 206 men; mean age = 82.7, SD = 8.4 years) had severe pneumonia as well as high proportions of poor premorbid physical function and consciousness disturbance compared to the non-MDCC group (45 women, 56 men; mean age = 81.1, SD = 8.6 years). Nevertheless, MDCC was an independent determinant of hospital stay duration and oral intake (Functional Oral Intake Scale score ≥4) at discharge with Cox regression analysis (hazard ratio = 1.42, 95% confidence interval [1.09, 1.85]). MDCC may promote early oral intake and hospital discharge in older adults with severe pneumonia. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 42(10), 21-29.].

Assessing the nutritional status of hospitalized elderly

Purpose

The increasing number of elderly people worldwide throughout the years is concerning due to the health problems often faced by this population. This review aims to summarize the nutritional status among hospitalized elderly and the role of the nutritional assessment tools in this issue.

Methods

A literature search was performed on six databases using the terms “malnutrition”, “hospitalised elderly”, “nutritional assessment”, “Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA)”, “Geriatric Nutrition Risk Index (GNRI)”, and “Subjective Global Assessment (SGA)”.

Results

According to the previous studies, the prevalence of malnutrition among hospitalized elderly shows an increasing trend not only locally but also across the world. Under-recognition of malnutrition causes the number of malnourished hospitalized elderly to remain high throughout the years. Thus, the development of nutritional screening and assessment tools has been widely studied, and these tools are readily available nowadays. SGA, MNA, and GNRI are the nutritional assessment tools developed specifically for the elderly and are well validated in most countries. However, to date, there is no single tool that can be considered as the universal gold standard for the diagnosis of nutritional status in hospitalized patients.

Conclusion

It is important to identify which nutritional assessment tool is suitable to be used in this group to ensure that a structured assessment and documentation of nutritional status can be established. An early and accurate identification of the appropriate treatment of malnutrition can be done as soon as possible, and thus, the malnutrition rate among this group can be minimized in the future.