PD1017 - FROM SCREENING TO DIAGNOSIS: THE ROLE OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS IN IDENTIFYING MALNUTRITION AMONG OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY

PD1017

FROM SCREENING TO DIAGNOSIS: THE ROLE OF PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS IN IDENTIFYING MALNUTRITION AMONG OLDER ADULTS LIVING IN THE COMMUNITY

G. Sheffer-Hilel^1,*, J. Kachal¹, A. Biderman^2,3, D. R. Shahar⁴, S. Amar²

¹Nutrition Sciences Department, Tel-Hai Academic College, , Kiryat Shmona, ²Department of Family Medicine , Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, ³Southern District, Clalit Health Services, Beer_Sheva, ⁴Department of Public Health, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel

Rationale:  Malnutrition in older adults is common, clinically significant, and frequently underdiagnosed in primary care.  Physicians play a key role in early identification, yet data on their knowledge, attitudes, and readiness to implement routine screening remain limited

Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among primary care physicians. The questionnaire included seven items assessing knowledge and eight items assessing attitudes toward malnutrition in older adults. Physicians were also asked about the feasibility of incorporating two brief malnutrition screening questions into routine clinic visits for patients aged ≥70 years. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses.

Results: A total of 126 physicians completed the survey (response rate 35%). Mean age was 47.2 ± 12.6 years, with 15.6 ± 12.5 years of clinical practice; 67% were female and 92% were board-certified family physicians. Most respondents (77.6%) agreed that diagnosing malnutrition is important in older adults with decreased  appetite. Knowledge of basic screening principles was reported by 63.5%, and 83.2% recognized that malnutrition may occur in older obese adults. Partial agreement (60%) was observed regarding age-specific BMI thresholds. A strong majority (91%) supported incorporating brief nutritional screening questions into routine visits and expressed willingness to receive training, despite perceived barriers such as limited time and knowledge.

Conclusion: Primary care physicians demonstrate substantial awareness of malnutrition in older adults and readiness to implement routine screening in primary care. In line with ESPEN recommendations, positive screening results should be followed by diagnostic assessment using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria to support accurate diagnosis and timely referral for nutritional intervention.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared