Malnutrition in the elderly residing in long-term care facilities: a cross sectional survey using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA®) screening tool

Figures & data

Table 1: Mid-upper arm circumference, calf circumference, recent weight loss, and body mass index in elderly participants (N = 124)

	Higher socio-economic area		Lower socio-economic area		95% CI for the percentage difference
	n	%	n	%
Mid-upper arm circumference
MUAC < 21 cm	0	0.0	1	1.6	[−8.6%; 4.4%]
21 ≤ MUAC ≤ 22 cm	4	6.5	3	4.8
MUAC > 22 cm	58	93.6	58	93.6
Calf circumference
CC < 31 cm	13	20.9	27	43.6	[−37.5%; −6.1%]*
CC ≥ 31 cm	49	79.0	35	56.5
Weight loss during the last 3 months
Weight loss > 3 kg	10	16.1	12	19.3	[−16.8%; 10.4%]
Does not know	1	1.6	11	17.7
Weight loss between 1 and 3 kg	3	4.8	8	12.9
No weight loss	48	77.4	31	50.0	[10.5%; 42.3%]*
Body mass index (kg/m^2)
BMI < 19	2	3.2	6	9.7
19 ≤ BMI < 21	9	14.5	9	14.5
21 ≤ BMI < 23	9	14.5	11	17.7
BMI ≥ 23	42	67.7	36	58.1	[−7.2%; 25.8%]

^* Statistically significant difference.

Table 2: Mobility and neuropsychological problems in elderly participants (N = 124)

	Higher socio-economic area		Lower socio-economic area		95% CI for the percentage difference
	n	%	n	%
Mobility
Bed-bound or chair-bound	4	6.5	14	22.6	[−28.6%; −3.7%]*
Able to get out of bed/chair, but does not get out	11	17.7	23	37.1
Goes out	47	75.8	25	40.3
Neuropsychological problems
Severe depression	4	6.5	8	12.9	[−17.7%; 4.5%]
Mild dementia	12	19.4	26	41.9
No psychological problems	46	74.2	28	45.2

^* Statistically significant difference.

Table 3: Recent decline in food intake, consumption of fluids, and the need for feeding assistance in elderly participants (N = 124)

	Higher socio-economic area		Lower socio-economic area		95% CI for the percentage difference
	n	%	n	%
Decline of food intake over the past three months due to loss of appetite, digestive system problems, chewing or swallowing difficulties
Severe loss of appetite	3	4.8	1	1.6	[−4.4%; 11.8%]
Moderate loss of appetite	9	14.5	18	29.0
No loss of appetite	50	80.7	43	69.4
Daily fluid consumption
Less than 3 cups	1	1.6	17	27.4	[−38.1%; −14.0%]*
3 to 5 cups	24	38.7	35	56.5
More than 5 cups	37	59.7	10	16.1
Need for feeding assistance
Unable to eat without assistance	1	1.6	2	3.2	[−9.5%; 5.7%]
Self-fed with some difficulty	3	4.8	4	6.5
Self-fed without any problem	58	93.6	56	90.3

^* Statistically significant difference.

Table 4: Summary of the scores of the MNA^® sections

	Possible score	Higher socio-economic area			Lower socio-economic area			95% CI for the median difference
		Minimum	Median	Maximum	Minimum	Median	Maximum
Anthropometric	8	1.5	8.0	8.0	2.0	5.0	8.0	[0.0; 2.0]
Global	9	3.0	6.0	8.0	1.0	4.0	8.0	[1.0; 2.0]*
Dietary	9	4.5	8.5	9.0	3.5	7.5	9.0	[0.5; 1.0]*
Subjective	4	1.0	3.0	4.0	1.0	3.0	4.0	[0.0; 1.0]

^* Statistically significant difference.

Table 5: Final MNA^® score for elderly residents (N = 124)

	Higher socio-economic area		Lower socio-economic area		95% CI for the percentage difference
	n	%	n	%
Malnutrition
(score of < 17)	2	3.2	7	11.3	[−18.6%; 1.6%]
	[0.8%; 11.0%]	[5.6%; 21.5%]
At risk of malnutrition
(score of 17–23.5)	23	37.1	46	74.2	[−51.4%; −19.8%]*
	[26.2%; 49.5%]	[62.1%; 83.4%]
Well-nourished
(score of ≥ 24)	37	59.7	9	14.5	[28.7%; 58.3%]*
	[47.3%; 71.0%]	[7.8%; 25.3%]

^* Statistically significant difference.