journal articles
FROM HOSPITAL TO HOME: LIMITED NUTRITIONAL AND FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY FOR OLDER ADULTS
A.M. Young, A.M. Mudge, M.D. Banks, L. Rogers, J. Allen, B. Vogler, E. Isenring
J Frailty Aging 2015;4(2):69-73
Background: The post-hospital period may be a vulnerable time for elders recovering from acute illness. Few studies have examined nutrition outcomes of older people at nutrition risk after acute hospitalisation. Objectives: This study aims to describe a) standard nutrition care received by recently discharged older medical patients, b) change in nutritional and functional status at six weeks post-discharge and c) clinical outcomes at twelve weeks post discharge. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Two metropolitan teaching hospitals in Brisbane, Australia. Participants: Medical patients aged ≥65 years at risk of malnutrition (Malnutrition Screening Score ≥2) and discharged to independent living in the community. Measurement: Nutritional status (Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), weight, lean body mass), functional status (grip strength, walk speed, activities of daily living) and health-related quality of life assessed on discharge and six weeks post-discharge. Inpatient and post-discharge nutrition intervention was recorded. Death and unplanned admissions were measured at 12 weeks. Results: Of the 42 consented participants, only 14% (n=6) received post-discharge dietitian review and 19% (n=8) received practical nutrition supports at home (meal delivery, shopping assistance) as part of standard care. While there was a small improvement in MNA (18.4±4.0 to 20.1±4.2, p=0.004) and walk speed (0.7±0.3 m/s to 0.9±0.3, p=0.004) at six weeks, there was no difference in mean weight, lean body mass, grip strength or activities of daily living. Five (15%) participants lost ≥5% body weight. By twelve weeks, 17 participants (46%) had at least one unplanned hospital admission and four (10%) had died. Conclusions: Few patients at nutrition risk received nutrition-focussed care in the post-hospital period, and most did not improve nutritional or functional status at 6 weeks.
CITATION:
A.M. Young ; A.M. Mudge ; M.D. Banks ; L. Rogers ; J. Allen ; B. Vogler ; E. Isenring (2015): From Hospital to Home: limited nutritional and functional recovery for older adults . The Journal of Frailty and Aging (JFA). http://dx.doi.org/10.14283/jfa.2015.51