Authors

Daniel Viejo Fernández1, Presentación Merino Rubio2, Javier de la Hoz Olalla2, Beatriz Oyarzabal Amigo2, Purificación Ezquerro Ezquerro2, Pilar López Lores1

Position

1Enfermero/a. Centro de Salud de Valdebezana. Burgos2Especialista Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria. Centro de Salud de Valdebezana. Burgos

Contact address

Daniel Viejo Fernández. C/ La Barrera, portal C 1-bajo izquierda. 24370 Torre del Bierzo (León).

Contact email: dani_viejo_fernandez@hotmail.com

Abstract

Objective: to understand the prevalence of malnutrition in >75-year-old persons living in the rural setting, and any associated factors.
Methods: an analytical cross-sectional study on a sample of 151 persons >75-year-old from a Healthcare District in the rural setting. The primary variable of the study was malnutrition, obtained through the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Besides, sociodemographical and clinical variables were collected, including place of residence, body mass index (BMI), anxiety or depression, comorbidities, cognitive function, use of drugs, number of falls and hospital admissions. The information was collected through interview and clinical history review. A descriptive analysis was conducted, followed by bivariate analysis and logistical regression. All analyses were conducted with the SPSS program (V 23.0), and a 5% significance level was established.
Results: the sample included 56% of women, with 84.8 (6) as mean age (standard deviation); 28.5% of the sample lived in an institution. Their mean BMI was 26.9 (5). There was a 14% prevalence of malnutrition detected through MNA. The factors associated with malnutrition were age, BMI and cognitive status.
Conclusions: the prevalence of malnutrition is slightly higher than that obtained in studies with the overall population in Spain; it has been observed that malnutrition is associated with an increase in age, a lower body mass index, and cognitive deterioration. MNA is an adequate tool to be used in primary care, which allows to conduct a malnutrition diagnosis in an early, safe and economic manner.

Keywords:

nutritional status; malnutrition; ageing; albumin; cognitive

Versión en Español

Título:

Prevalencia de desnutrición en mayores de 75 años en el medio rural