The relationship between nutritional status and physical activity, ulcer history and ulcer-related problems in patients with leg and foot ulcers

The nutritional status in patients with leg and fool ulcers is assessed in relation to sociodemographic data, mobility, physical activity, ulcer histo ry, and ulcer-related problems from the patients' point of view. The patien ts (20 men and 50 women, mean age 79 years) were living in their own homes and treatment was given in primary health care. The Mini Nutritional Assess ment (MNA) was used to assess nutritional status. Interviews were conducted to collect data on patients' mobility, physical activity, ulcer history an d ulcer-related problems. According to the MNA, 32 patients were classified as being at risk of malnutrition and two were malnourished. Patients class ified as at risk of malnutrition or malnourishment were usually living alon e and were more dependent on aids for mobility and on home-help services th an the well-nourished patients (p < 0.05). There were no significant differ ences between the well-nourished patients and those classified as at risk o f malnutrition or malnourished in the number and the duration of open ulcer s. This study shows that risk of malnutrition was common in this elderly po pulation of 70 patients with leg and foot ulcers. Comprehensive patient car e should include nutritional assessment and preventive actions to restore t he nutritional status before malnutrition is manifest.