Short dietary assessment improves muscle dysfunction identification by Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index in uncomplicated institutionalised patients over 70 years old

Background & aims: To possibly investigate the validity of the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) in predicting muscle dysfunction among the uncomplicated elderly when coupled and compared with short dietary assessment. Methods: A total. of 130 (61 mates and 69 females) stable-weight, over 70-years-old elderly patients were studied according to anthropometry, handgrip strength (HG) and simple dietary assessment, expressed as oral (percentage of food consumed to that delivered) and protein (g/kg/day) intakes. Results: For the overall population, HG and strength for centimetres of arm muscle area (HG/AMA) significantly correlated with age, GNRI and nutrients intake (p<0.001). In gender-separated analyses, these associations were less evident for mates than females, which were older (p<0.0001) and presented lower strength and intakes (p<0.0001). Patients in the Lowest tertile of oral intake (<68%) were more Likely (p<0.0001) to have low HG and HG/AMA than those at severe/moderate nutritional risk (GNRI < 92; p < 0.01). In multivariate models, being an aged female significantly predicted muscle dysfunction. For the overall population, HG was significantly associated with GNRI (p<0.05) and oral intake (p<0.0001), while HG/AMA was independently associated with GNRI (p<0.001) and protein intake (p<0.0001). Conclusions: The validity of GNRI in predicting muscle dysfunction is confirmed also in the uncomplicated elderly. Though, oral intake appears an even better predictor. A frequent evaluation of its changes should be considered, particularly when concomitant high risk (GNRI < 92) is scored. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. ALL rights reserved.