Abstract
Objective
To date, no study has examined the nutritional status and disease burden of elderly home-care receivers living in Germany. Aim of this cross-sectional study was, first, to assess disease burden and nutritional status, denoted in anthropometrics, and, second, to investigate associations between anthropometrics and disease burden.
Design
Cross-sectional multi-centre study.
Setting
Home-care receivers living in three urban areas of Germany in 2010.
Participants
353 elderly (>64 years) in home care (128 males aged 79.1 ±7.8 years, 225 females aged 82.0 ±7.5 years).
Measurements
Nutritional status was assessed by body mass index (BMI), mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) and calf circumference (CC). Medical conditions were assessed in personal interviews. A 3-day prospective nutrition diary was kept. Metric data are reported as mean±SD or median (interquartile range), p<0.05 was considered significant.
Results
Most participants were substantially (59%), and 11% severest in need of care. The seniors suffered from 5 (4–7) chronic diseases; dementia, depression, stroke, and respiratory illness were most prevalent (each 20–40%). More than one-third of participants had only moderate or poor appetite, nearly half were unable to eat independently. Chewing problems were reported for 52% of study participants, and more than one quarter of elderly had swallowing problems. Daily mean energy intake was 2017±528 kcal in men (n=123) and 1731±451 kcal in women (n=216; p<0.001). Mean protein intake amounted to 1.0 g/kg body weight. Mean BMI was 28.2±6.2 kg/m2 (n=341), 14% of seniors had a BMI <22 kg/m2 (including 4% with BMI <20 kg/m2). Critical MUAC (<22 cm) was indicated in 6% of subjects; and CC <31 cm in 11% of men, 21% of women (p<0.05). After adjusting for sex and age, BMI, MUAC and CC were negatively associated with high care level, hospitalization in the previous year, nausea/vomiting, prevalence of dementia, poor appetite, and eating difficulties like dependency, chewing and swallowing problems.
Conclusion
We recommend to pay special attention to the nutritional status of elderly persons in home-care exhibiting named disease burden.
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Pohlhausen, S., Uhlig, K., Kiesswetter, E. et al. Energy and protein intake, anthropometrics, and disease burden in elderly home-care receivers - A cross-sectional study in Germany (ErnSIPP study). J Nutr Health Aging 20, 361–368 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0586-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-015-0586-9