Prévalence de la malnutrition dans une population de patients âgés sénégalais

The objective of this study was to estimate the overall and specific prevalence of malnutrition in a population of elderly Senegalese patients of the geriatric and gerontology center of the retirement pension institution of Senegal (IPRES), Dakar-Senegal. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012 among 1199 patients of 60 years and older who visited the centre for geriatrics and gerontology of the IPRES. Data was collected using the nutritional assessment questionnaire of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Malnutrition was defined as a full MNA score below 17. Patients had an average age of 67.42 (± 6.81), were male (69.1%) and were independently living at home (96.9%). The prevalence of malnutrition was estimated at 6.6% (95% CI: 5.28%-7.92). During bivariate analysis, nutritional status varied significantly with regard to the age (P < 0.001), the existence of acute illness or stress (P < 0.001). However, it did not vary with regard to the sex and the daily number of meals. The prevalence was similar to that of African studies. This disease should be seriously considered in our daily practice and prevention strategies implemented within this population.