Factors Associated with Nutritional Status in Geriatric Outpatients

Aim:Malnutrition is a geriatric syndrome that should not be ignored considering its negative consequences in older adults. There are many factors that affect nutritional status. We aimed to determine the factors related to malnutrition in the elderly in this study.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study included 356 elderly outpatients admitted to a geriatric outpatient clinic. Comprehensive geriatric assessments were performed and factors related to nutritional status were assessed. The Mini Nutritional Assessment Tool (MNA) and the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria were used to screen and diagnose malnutrition.Results:The participants had a mean age of 72.2±6.5 years. Of the participants, 93 (26.1%) were considered malnourished according to the GLIM criteria. Malnourished participants had poorer quality of life, physical functioning, sleep quality, and higher depressive and anxiety symptoms. MNA scores were positively correlated with quality of life scores (r=0.355, p=0.000) and negatively correlated with depressive and anxiety symptoms scores (r=-0.346, p=0.000, and r=-0.301, p=0.000, respectively). Age and higher depressive symptom scores were found to be independent variables for malnutrition [p=0.026, Odds ratio (OR): 1.07 and p=0.045, OR: 1.07, respectively].Conclusion:This study has shown that malnourished older adults are more likely to have impaired functional status, depressive and anxiety symptoms, poorer quality of life and sleep quality. Depressive symptoms and age have been found to increase the risk of malnutrition. Comprehensive geriatric assessment should be performed in all older adults to avoid undesirable consequences.