Nutritional status according to the mini nutritional assessment (MNA®) and frailty in community dwelling older persons: a close relationship

J Nutr Health Aging. 2013 Apr;17(4):351-6. doi: 10.1007/s12603-013-0034-7.

Abstract

Objective: This study investigates the association between MNA results and frailty status in community-dwelling older adults. In addition the relevance of singular MNA items and subscores in this regard was tested.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Community-dwelling older adults were recruited in the region of Nürnberg, Germany.

Participants: 206 volunteers aged 75 years or older without cognitive impairment (Mini Mental State Examination >24 points), 66.0% female.

Measurements: Frailty was defined according to Fried et al. as presence of three, pre-frailty as presence of one or two of the following criteria: weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, low handgrip strength and slow walking speed. Malnutrition (<17 points) and the risk of malnutrition (17-23.5 points) were determined by MNA®.

Results: 15.1% of the participants were at risk of malnutrition, no participant was malnourished. 15.5 % were frail, 39.8% pre-frail and 44.7% non-frail. 46.9% of the frail, 12.2% of the pre-frail and 2.2% of the non-frail participants were at risk of malnutrition (p<0.001). Hence, 90% of those at risk of malnutrition were either pre-frail or frail. For the anthropometric, dietary, subjective and functional, but not for the general MNA subscore, frail participants scored significantly lower than pre-frail (p<0.01), and non-frail participants (p<0.01). Twelve of the 18 MNA items were also significantly associated with frailty (p<0.05).

Conclusions: These results underline the close association between frailty syndrome and nutritional status in older persons. A profound understanding of the interdependency of these two geriatric concepts will represent the basis for successful treatment strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Diet
  • Fatigue
  • Female
  • Frail Elderly*
  • Geriatric Assessment / methods
  • Germany
  • Hand Strength
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Malnutrition / diagnosis*
  • Malnutrition / epidemiology*
  • Nutrition Assessment*
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Prevalence
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Weight Loss