Evaluation of the nutritional status of patients over 60-year admitted in a hematology department using the mininutritional assessment (MNA) . A single centre study of 120 cases
Bauduer, F.; Scribans, C.; Dubernet, E.; Capdupuy, C.
Journal of Nutrition Health and Aging 7(3): 179-182
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1279-7707 PMID: 12766796 Document Number: 559337
Background: The nutritional status of older persons suffering from various medical or surgical conditions has been well reported. However, studies focusing on haematology patients are very rare. Objective: Our aim was to obtain a photographic picture of the nutritional profile of a sample population treated for miscellaneous blood disorders, to compare our results with those obtained in other types of diseases and to isolate risk factors for undernutrition. Design: 120 free living haematology patients aged over 60 years, who visited the hospital between January 1995 and June 2000, were prospectively and randomly tested the day of their admission to either our out- or inpatient clinic (department of clinical haematology from a general hospital in France) using the mininutritional assessment (MNA). We compared our data with those from the literature and the role of various risk factors was evaluated using the chi 2 or the Fisher exact test. Results: The sex ratio was 1 and the median age 74 (range: 60-97). The majority of this population suffered from malignant disorders (101 cases, 84%) and 53 of them received chemotherapy. 80 individuals (66%) were tested at the outpatient unit. The mean MNA score was 22.8 (range: 7.5-30). 16 patients (13%) were categorized as in poor nutritional status (MNA<17). In this subgroup, more than 3 drugs intake (P<0.01) and recent weight loss (P=0.015) were the most important MNA parameters predicting malnutrition (age, sex, disease type or duration being no significant risk-factors). Our MNA results compared favorably with those obtained in other medical or surgical specialties. Conclusion: Undernutrition does not appear more prevalent in the elderly haematology population in comparison with patients suffering from other diseases. However, because nutritional status may influence the outcome, especially in case of blood neoplasms, MNA (or other more sophisticated biological tools) should be included in the evaluation of this population.