130 Poster presentations

Methods: It was a transversal analytic study at a CentralLisbon Hospital; Central Cascais Hospital; Central AlgarveHospital and one Central Hospital in Madeira island.The nutritional assessment of elderly was evaluated byMNA.Results: The sample (n = 305) had an average age of75.68±6.85 (65 100) years. By MNA 12.5% of elderlysuffered from undernutrition and 43.6 had risk ofundernutrition. According to the BMI it was found 16.7% ofelderly suffered from undernutrition and 15.4% had risk ofundernutrition. A negative correlation was found betweenthe MNA and: BMI (r = 0.205 p = 0.000); Brachial Perimeter(BP) (r = 0.123 p = 0.032) and Calf Circumference (CC)(r = 0.284 p = 0.000).The analysis by gender and category of age, accordingMNA it was: in the category of 65 a 74 years old 11.1%of elderly men and 9.2% of elderly woman, suffered fromundernutrition and 44.4% of elderly men and 52.3 ofelderly woman had risk of undernutrition; in the categoryof >74 years old 13.6% of elderly men and 15.5% ofelderly woman, suffered from undernutrition and 31.8%of elderly men and 49.3 of elderly woman had risk ofundernutrition.In the category of >74 years old of elderly man, anegative correlation was found between the MNA and:BMI (r = 0.375 p = 0.000); BP (r = 0.281 p = 0.008) and CC(r = 0.547 p = 0.000).Conclusion: According the results of this study it’sextremely important assessment the elderly populationin the initial period of hospitalization and indicate wooneeds nutritional intervention.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared

PP041-MONUNDERNUTRITION IN ELDERLY PATIENTS AT HOSPITALADMISSION IT NEEDS AN URGENT SOLUTION!M. Cebola1, R. Soares2, M. Capitao3, A. Sousa Guerreiro4,M.A. Botelho5. 1Scientific Area of Dietetics, TechnologySchool of Lisbon, 2Unit of Cardiology, 3Unit of Angiologyand Vascular Surgery, 4Unit of Medicine, Central LisbonHospital Santa Marta Hospital, 5University Departmentof Medicine II, University of Medical Sciences of Lisbon,Lisbon, Portugal

Rationale: The nutritional assessment at the first 72 hoursof hospital admission allows the identification of installedchronic undernutrition and the determination of nutri-tional intervention goals. The aim of this study was toassess the prevalence of undernutrition in an elderlypopulation group at hospital admission.Methods: This was a transversal analytic study at aCentral Lisbon Hospital Centre Hospital de Santa Marta,in patients 65 or more years old, admitted to theemergency service.For the nutritional evaluation we used the Mini NutritionalAssessment MNA® and the following anthropometricmeasures: body mass index (BMI), triceps skin fold (TSF),subscapular skin fold (SSF), calf circumference (CC) andbrachial perimeter (BP).Results: The sample (n = 118) had an average age of75.6±7.24 (65 100) years and 50.8% were man. MNAdisclosed 19.5% of undernutrition and 41.5% of risk of

malnutrition in those elderly. With BMI, 20.3% of elderlyhad undernutrition and 16.9% risk of malnutrition. In thetotal sample group, a negative correlation was foundbetween MNA and: BMI (r = 0.331 p = 0.000); TSF (r = 0.312p = 0.001); SSF (r = 0.196 p = 0.035) and CC (r = 0.251p = 0.006).In the analysis by gender, according to MNA standards,there were 21.7% of elderly men and 17.2% of elderlywoman suffering from undernutrition, and 33.3% ofelderly men and 50% of elderly woman with risk ofundernutrition. A negative correlation was found betweenMNA and: BMI (r = 0.407 p = 0.01 in man; r = 0.592 p = 0.00in woman); TSF (r = 0.279 p = 0.031 in man; r = 0.382p = 0.003 in woman); SSF (r = 0.291 p = 0.001 in man)and CC (r = 0.382 p = 0.003 in man; r = 0.515 p = 0.00 inwoman).Conclusion: Using MNA routinely makes possible thenutritional assessment of patients and the decision of whomay benefit the most from early nutritional intervention.

Disclosure of Interest: None Declared

PP042-MONNUTRITION OF HOME CARE CLIENTSM. Suominen1, T. Puranen1. 1Nutrition, Society forMemory Disorders Expertise in Finland, Helsinki, Finland

Rationale: Malnutrition, low food and nutrient intake arecommon problems among aged home care clients. Aim ofthis study was to acquire information about nutritionalstatus, amount of eaten food and illnesses among agedhome care clients in Finland.Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study.In six communities in Finland all home care clients(age >65 y) receiving a home care visit at least oncea week were included in the study. Their BMI, weightloss, illnesses, the amount of eaten food and problemsin eating were investigated. In addition, the use ofnutritional supplements was clarified.Results: Altogether 85% (N = 630) of eligible home careclients took part to the study. Their mean age was80.3 years and 70% were females. Most of them (71%)lived alone. Their mean BMI was 27.1. Very low BMI (lessthan 21) had 10% of clients, and 16% had BMI 21 23.9.Less than half (40%) of clients had optimal BMI (24 29.9)and overweight (BMI� 30) were 28% of them. One thirdof studied clients had memory disorder, more than half(55%) had low physical functioning. Less than half of theclients ate enough and nearly one third ate half or lessthan recommended. Those who ate enough had higher BMI(28.4) than those who ate less (26.0) (p < 0.001). Memorydisorders, eating less than recommended, problems inswallowing and eating increased risk for malnutrition.Half of the clients had meals-on-wheels and 5% nutritionalsupplements.Conclusion: Many of aged home care clients have lowBMI and their food intake is poor. Paying more attentionto the nutrition is important in supporting their physicalfunctioning and quality of life.

ReferencesSoini H, Routasalo P, Lagstrom H. Characteristics of the Mini-

Nutritional Assessment in elderly home-care patients. EurJ Clin Nutr.2004;58:64 70.