MALNUTRITION IN GERIATRIC-PATIENTS - A NEGLECTED PROBLEM

The nutrient intake in geriatric long-stay patients and the mortality risk associated with low energy intake were studied in 61 patients, 43 women and 18 men, with a mean age of 87 yeats, at a geriatric long-st ay care hospital during a B-month follow-up, Dietary intake was assess ed with a 9-day dietary record, Energy expenditure was calculated assu ming a physical activity level of 1.33 x basal metabolic rate (BMR), p redicted from equations given by FAO/WHO. Mean energy intakes were 155 7 kcal in men and 1280 kcal in women; 84% of the patients had an intak e below estimated energy expenditure and 30% were below estimated BMR. Only 5% received dietary supplement, Eleven out of the 61 patients di ed during the follow-up and the deceased had lower energy intake than the others (1185 kcal vs 1401 kcal, P < 0.05), An energy intake below median (1378 kcal) was associated with an age adjusted increased 6-mon th mortality risk, odds ratio 12.5. A high proportion of geriatric lon g-stay patients report dietary intake far below present recommendation s and are thereby at risk for having/developing malnutrition, Improved surveillance of geriatric long-stay patients' dietary habits seems ju stified.