THE PREVALENCE OF GERIATRIC MALNUTRITION AND ITS FACTORS IN SAUDI ARABIA

Background: Malnutrition is highly prevalent among the elderly and is associated with poor clinical prognosis, decreased functional status, and increased morbidity and mortality. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of geriatric malnutrition among outpatients of a geriatric clinic and to determine factors associated with malnutrition. Methods: Cross-sectional study in Saudi Arabia All patients older than 60 years of age who attended the clinics during January to October 2018 was eligible for inclusion. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric data and by hemoglobin and albumin levels and lymphocyte count. The MNA was used to define malnutrition. Results: According to the MNA results, 8 (5.3%) of 152 elderly patients suffered overt malnutrition and 50 (32.9%) were at risk of malnutrition (71 males and 41 females; aged 72.4 [8.6] years). The prevalence of malnutrition was significantly higher among females (44.6%; 95% CI, 1.01-4.08; P=0.044) than in males (28.3%). Malnourished patients were older than patients with normal nutritional status (mean 72.4 [8.6] years), and more common in patients who lived alone (62.5%). The malnourished patients had significantly smaller calf circumferences (63.4; 95% CI, 1.51-3.20; P=0.001), and lower albumin and hemoglobin levels (P=0.001). A significantly higher percentage of the malnourished patients compared with normal patients had experienced weight loss (37.9%; P<0.001) and decreased food intake (56.9%; P