Assessment of Nutritional Status of Hospitalised Geriatric Patients and its Relationship with Sarcopenia

Introduction: Sarcopenia and malnutrition are geriatric syndromes that reduce quality of life and muscle function in old age. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of geriatric patients, determine the status of sarcopenia, and investigate the relationship between them. Methods: The study was conducted between November 2018 and April 2019 with 100 patients aged >= 65 years who were hospitalised in University of Health Sciences Turkey, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital. The demographic characteristics of the included patients were used to evaluate nutritional status and sarcopenia. The Mini Nutritional Assessment form was used, and anthropometric measurements, bioimpedance analysis method, hand grip strength and time walk test were performed. The patients' treatment clinics, hospitalisation indications, length of hospital stay and comorbidities were determined. Results: The mean age of the patients was 71.8 +/- 6.2 years, and 35% and 65% were women and men, respectively. Malnutrition and risk of malnutrition were observed in 8% and 50% of the patients. In addition, sarcopenia was found in 5% of the patients. A significant relationship was determined among age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), upper arm circumference measurement and nutritional status. Muscle function adequacy (p=0.00) and hand grip strength test results (p=0.002) were lower, and time walk test results (p=0.00) were longer in malnourished patients compared with those without malnutrition (p<0.05). Weight, BMI, muscle function, and adequacy of muscle mass were significantly lower in patients with sarcopenia compared with those without sarcopenia (p<0.05). The risk of malnutrition was 60% in patients with sarcopenia, and malnutrition in 8.4% of patients without sarcopenia, and malnutrition in 47.5%. The distribution of sarcopenia did not differ based on the nutritional status (p>0.05). Conclusion: To prevent malnutrition and sarcopenia or their progress in hospitalised patients, nutritional status and sarcopenia should be evaluated, and patients should be treated and followed up during hospitalisation. Regardless of nutritional status, all hospitalised elderly patients should be controlled for the risk of sarcopenia.