Functional capacity of recently hospitalized elderly in relation to nutritional status

BackgroundMalnutrition and functional impairment are highly prevalent in the institutionalized elderly and can lead to unfavorable outcomes.ObjectiveTo asses the relationship between nutritional status and indicators of functional capacity among recently hospitalized elderly.DesignA cross-sectional study conducted on 230 recently hospitalized elders in Cairo.MeasurementsAssessment of functional capacity was done by using activity of daily living (ADL) scale and instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) scale for both males and females. Arabic version of Mini Nutritional Assessment screening tool – short form (MNA-SF-A) and selected anthropometric and laboratory measurements.ResultsNutritional status is an independent risk factor for impaired functional capacity. Indicators of functional capacity (ADL and IADL) have been found to be significantly correlated to MNA-SF total score and laboratory markers of malnutrition in the recently hospitalized elderly.ConclusionsMalnutrition is associated with reduced functional capacity in recently hospitalized elderly.