Prevalence of malnutrition and associated factors among hospitalized elderly patients in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Sami H Alzahrani, Sultan H Alamri, Sami H Alzahrani, Sultan H Alamri

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition is a nutritional disorder that adversely affects the body from a functional or clinical perspective. It is very often observed in the elderly population. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition among hospitalized elderly patients and its associated factors and outcomes in terms of length of stay and mortality in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, we evaluated the nutritional status of hospitalized elderly patients using the most recent version of the short form of Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA-SF).

Results: A total of 248 hospitalized patients were included (70.0 ± 7.7 years; 60% female). According to the MNA-SF, a total of 76.6% patients were either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Malnourished patients had significantly lower levels of serum albumin (28.2 ± 7.7), hemoglobin (10.5 ± 1.8), and lymphocyte (1.7 ± 0.91). They had increased tendency to stay in the hospital for longer durations (IQR, 5-11 days; median = 7 days) and had a mortality rate of 6.9%.

Conclusion: Malnutrition was highly prevalent among hospitalized elderly and was associated with increased length of stay and mortality.

Keywords: Elderly; Geriatric; Health services; Hospitalized; Malnutrition.

Conflict of interest statement

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The protocol of the present study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (REC) of King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Reference No. 29-15/2). Written informed consent was obtained and documented from all participants. They were informed about the nature of the study and confidentiality of their response.

Consent for publication

Not applicable.

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no Financial and Non-financial competing interests.

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mortality and survival rates

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