Relationships between nutritional markers and the mini-nutritional assessment in 155 older persons

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationships between nutritional status meas ured by a comprehensive nutritional assessment including anthropometric mea surements, nutritional biological markers, evaluation of dietary intake, an d the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) nutrition screening tool. DESIGN: A prospective study. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty-five older subjects (53 men and 102 women; mean age = 78 years; range = 56-97 years). These participants were hospital ized in a geriatric evaluation unit (n = 105) or free living in the communi ty (n = 50). MEASUREMENT: Weight, height, knee height, midarm and calf circumferences, t riceps and subscapular skinfolds, albumin, transthyretin (prealbumin), tran sferrin, ceruroplasmin, C-reactive protein, alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein, cho lesterol, vitamins A, D, E, B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12, folate, copper, zinc, a 3 day food record combined with a food-frequency questionnaire; the MNA nutri tional screening. RESULTS: The MNA scores have been found to be significantly correlated to n utritional intake (P < .05 for energy, carbohydrates, fiber, calcium, vitam in D, iron, vitamin B6, and vitamin C), anthropometric and biological nutri tional parameters (P < .001 for albumin, transthyretin, transferrin, chores terol, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, 25-OH cholecalciferol zinc). An MNA score between 17 and 23.5 can identify those persons with mild malnutrition in w hich nutrition intervention may be effective. CONCLUSIONS: The MNA is a practical, noninvasive, and cost-effective instru ment allowing for rapid nutritional evaluation and effective intervention i n frail older persons..