PD1020 - PREVALENCE OF DIAGNOSED MALNUTRITION AND ASSOCIATED FRAILTY MARKERS IN FRAIL ADULTS

PD1020

PREVALENCE OF DIAGNOSED MALNUTRITION AND ASSOCIATED FRAILTY MARKERS IN FRAIL ADULTS

C. Pender^1,*

¹Nutrition and Dietetics , Mater Misericordiae University Hospital , Dublin , Ireland

 

Rationale: Frailty is a nutrition related condition which is reversible if modifiable risk factors including malnutrition are identified at an early stage. Over ⅓ of older adults presenting to the Emergency Department(ED) are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition [1]. This study evaluates the prevalence and severity of malnutrition, diagnosed through dietetic assessment, and associated frailty markers.  

Methods: A retrospective study of frail patients >65 years old, presenting to a level 4 ED, referred to the Dietitian in March 2024 was completed. Each patient had a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment performed. A referral to Dietetics was indicated by: Malnutrition Screening Tool(MST) score≥2, enteral feeding, dysphagia, grade≥2 pressure ulcer or prescribed oral nutritional supplements. Malnutrition was diagnosed by the Dietitian using the GLIM and/or ASPEN criteria. Excel was used to collate MST score, malnutrition diagnosis, Clinical Frailty Score, diagnosed dementia, falls history and dysphagia. 

Results: 31 frail patients were assessed by the Dietitian. 61% were female. The median age was 81 years. The median CFS was 6.

        - 61%(n=19) MST≥2

        - 45%(n=14) were diagnosed with malnutrition

            - 29%(n=9) moderate malnutrition

            - 16%(n=5) severe malnutrition

Of those with diagnosed malnutrition(n=14):

        - 21%(n=3) had dysphagia

        - 50%(n=7) had a fall in the past 1 year

        - 14%(n=2) had dementia 

Conclusion: Early identification of malnutrition with responsive dietetic intervention in ED can counteract negative health outcomes for older adults. Frail older adults with a falls history should be highlighted for dietetic assessment. Anthropometric equipment has been funded to further increase the identification of malnutrition and sarcopenia in this cohort. 

References: 1. Griffin A et al., The prevalence of malnutrition and impact on patient outcomes among older adults presenting at an Irish emergency department: OPTI-MEND trial. BMC Geriatric 2020 Nov 7;20(1):455.

 

Disclosure of Interest: None declared