Nutritional status in a multicenter study among institutionalized patients in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of our study was to investigate and evaluate, in a multicenter study, the prevalence of malnutrition as well as the relationship between different anthropometric and biochemical markers with Mininutritional assessment (MNA) scores. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A representative sample of the institutionalized Spanish population aged 65 and older (stricly speaking, born in 1942 or earlier), is covered in this cross-sectional survey. Anthropometric variables, MNA test and biochemical evaluation were performed by Geriatrics Units specialists. RESULTS: The percentage of patients classified as well nourished (27.8%) was larger in the 85-94 (39.4%) range than in the 65-74 (26.2%), 75-84 (24%) and > 95 (14.8%) age ranges. A population of 254 patients (49.6%) were at risk of undernutrition, a number which was larger in 75-84 (52%), 65-74 (53.8%) and > 95 (53.7%) than in the 85-94 (44.1%) ones. On the other hand, undernourishment (22.5%) was larger in those of 95 and older (31.5%) than in 85-94 (16.5%), 75-84 (24%) and 65-74 (20%) patients. According to our investigation females are worse nourished (Odd's Ratio 0.51 CI 95%: 0.33-0.79) and, consequently, more undernourished (Odd's Ratio 2.36 CI 95%: 1.48-3.74) than males. No significant differences in the "at risk of undernutrition category" (Odd's Ratio 0.76 CI 95%: 0.52-1.10) were observed but, in transferrin, iron, haemoglobin and total cholesterol, statistical differences among MNA classification were detected. MNA scores were correlated with iron, total cholesterol, albumin, transferrin, age and haemoglobin. CONCLUSION: In this multicenter study, institutionalized patients have a high prevalence of undernutrition or are at-risk, as well as females are more undernourished than males.

Evaluation of the mini-nutritional assessment short-form (MNA-SF) among institutionalized older patients in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: In the present study, we evaluated a short form version of MNA test in a multicenter study and the relationship of different biochemical markers with MNASF scores. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey covering a sample of representative of the older institutionalized Spanish population aged above 65 years (n = 873). A Mini nutritional assessment short form test (MNA-SF) was used. RESULTS: The number of patients classified as well nourished (42.1%) was larger in the 65-74 (52.6%) range than in the 75-84 (40.2%), 85-94 (43.8%) and > 95 (24%) age ranges. Risk of undernutrition occurred in a total of 506 patients (57.9%), risk of undernutrition was larger in > 95 (76%) range than in 65-74 (47.4%), 75-84 (59.8%) and 85-94 range (56.2%). No differences were detected between males and females at risk of undernutrition (odds ratio: 0.85 CI 95%: 0.64-1.12). CONCLUSION: In this multicenter study, institutionalized patients have a high prevalence of at risk of malnutrition assessed by MNA-SF test.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome with International Diabetes Federation Criteria and ATP III Program in patients 65 years of age or older.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between cardiovascular factors and death can vary with age, very few studies have examined metabolic syndrome in the elderly. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of the MS in a sample of elderly institutionalized patients (> 65 years) using ATPIII and IDF definitions. DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional survey covering a sample of representative of the institutionalized Spanish population aged above 65 years. The final sample study consisted of 862 patients, 556 females and 306 males. ATPIII and IDF definitions were used to classify the patients. RESULTS: Prevalence of MS was different according to the two definitions used. When the IDF definition was applied, total prevalence was 48.91% (CI 95%:43.47-50.25), while prevalence according to ATPIII criteria was 46.80% (CI = 43.47-50.25). a higher prevalence of MS was found in females as compared to males. Using IDF criteria, odds ratio was 1.9 (CI 95%:1.4-2.6) and 1.7 (CI 95%:1.2-2.2) according to ATPIII criteria. a steady decrease is seen in MS prevalence as the age of patients increases (the last two groups (85-94 ys and > 95 ys), both for the ATP III and the IDF definitions. CONCLUSION: A higher prevalence of MS in this elderly population as compared to general population was observed. A decrease of this prevalence above 95 years was detected.

Principio de autonomía en las demencias avanzadas: ¿queremos para los demás lo que no deseamos para nosotros? / The principle of autonomy in advanced dementia: do we want for others what we don't want for ourselves?

En este artículo presentamos nuestro punto de vista sobre algunos aspectos del respeto al principio de autonomía en pacientes con deterioro cognitivo severo. El trabajo se estructura sobre los debates planteados en 2 jornadas sobre demencias a las que asistieron profesionales implicados en la asistencia a estos pacientes, así como familiares y cuidadores no profesionales de éstos. A los asistentes se les entregó un cuestionario con 3 preguntas sobre cuáles serían sus preferencias respecto a tratamientos médicos en caso de sufrir una incapacidad mental y física severa e irreversible. Los resultados de dicho cuestionario sólo son utilizados, como lo fueron en las jornadas mencionadas, como una forma de introducirnos en el debate y plantear la discusión sobre aspectos aún no del todo aclarados en este ámbito. (AU)

[Modification of the immune response in the elderly with nutritional treatments]. / Modificación de la respuesta inmune en los ancianos con tratamientos nutricionales.

The aging associates to it unites alteration of the immune response, this is well documented. This alteration can contribute to much of the illnesses associated to the age like repetition infections, cancer and illnesses autoinmunes. Is in the immunity mediated by cells where the main dysfunction resides, although with accuracy it is not clarified which is the intimate cause that produces it, although certainly the smallest presence in a co-estimulative of the recognition and the immune response as the receiver CD28, seem to play a key paper between to the descent of the thymic activity. The relationship between immunity and nutrition is known, as well as the high nutritional deficit prevalence in the elderly. In this work we pass reviews to that published in relation to the possibilities of improving the immune response in the elderly with nutritional treatments.

Modificación de la respuesta inmune en los ancianos con tratamientos nutricionales / Modification of the immune response in the elderly with nutritional treatments

Está bien documentado que se produce una alteración de la respuesta inmune asociada al envejecimiento. Este declinar puede contribuir a mucha de las enfermedades asociadas a la vejez como infecciones de repetición, cáncer y enfermedades autoinmunes. Es en la inmunidad mediada por células donde radica la principal disfunción, aunque con exactitud no está aclarada cual es la causa íntima que la produce, aunque ciertamente la menor presencia de un coestimulador del reconocimiento y la respuesta inmune como el receptor CD28, parece jugar un papel clave junto al descenso de la actividad tímica. La relación entre inmunidad y nutrición es conocida, así como la alta prevalencia de déficit nutricionales en los ancianos. En este trabajo pasamos revista a lo publicado en relación a las posibilidades de mejorar la respuesta inmune en el anciano con tratamientos nutricionales (AU)

The aging associates to it unites alteration of the immune response, this is well documented. This alteration can contribute to much of the illnesses associated to the age like repetition infections, cancer and illnesses autoinmunes. Is in the immunity mediated by cells where the main dysfunction resides, although with accuracy it is not clarified which is the intimate cause that produces it, although certainly the smallest presence in a co-estimulative of the recognition and the immune response as the receiver CD28, seem to play a key paper between to the descent of the thymic activity. The relationship between immunity and nutrition is known, as well as the high nutritional deficit prevalence in the elderly. In this work we pass reviews to that published in relation to the possibilities of improving the immune response in the elderly with nutritional treatments (AU)