Korean J Geriatr Gerontol.
2018 Dec;19(2):72-80. 10.15656/kjcg.2018.19.2.72.
Nutritional Assessment and Proper Management of Malnutrition in Elderly Patients
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Family Medicine, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea
- KMID: 2566458
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.15656/kjcg.2018.19.2.72
Abstract
- A weight loss of more than 5% in the period of 6∼12 months in elderly patients is associated with higher rates of mortality and morbidity of chronic diseases. In addition, anorexia and malnutrition are common problems among the elderly. The structural approach is urgently warranted to identify the causes of weight loss and its treatment among the elderly. Brief screening of nutritional problems is a feasible clinical tool of predicting short-term mortality rate of elderly patients. Good nutrition status prevents the progression of chronic diseases, but also, promote physical independence and well-being in the elderly. In addition to the physiological factors associated with aging process, pathological factors (acute or chronic pathological conditions), environmental factors (limited income sources and amounts, impaired cognition or limited health literacy, social isolation, access to grocery store, cooking ability and transportation availability) and iatrogenic factors (adverse drug reactions) contribute to malnutrition as single or combination of these factors. In a real practice, it is not uncommon that these factors are underestimated or are unrecognized. Therefore, it is important to carry out the comprehensive evaluation of identifying these factors in the elderly to prevent or treat malnutrition in the elderly. We implement nutritional support interventions applying the algorithm combined with the above comprehensive evaluation. Various nutrition support interventions can be provided empirically to the malnourished elderly patients.
