To determine the impact of nutritional status and risk factors for undernutrition based on the changes in functional outcomes and rehabilitation success, defined as the ability of older adults to return as close as possible to their original functional state. Retrospective cohort study among 107 rehabilitation patients, aged ≥65 y. Data included demographics, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ), reported weight, Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), and Cumulative Illness Rating-Scale for Geriatrics (CIRS-G). Rehabilitation success was determined by delta-FIM. Higher vs. lower functioning patients were younger, had shorter hospitalization, and lower CIRS-G score with higher mean MMSE. Delta-FIM was significantly higher in patients with low malnutrition risk (SNAQ): 14.2 ± 10.5 vs. 6.9 ± 13.9 in undernourished patients, those who did not lose weight 14.5 ± 10.5 vs. 5.6 ± 12.8 in patients who lost weight with normal dietary intake, normal albumin, and lower CIES-G. Patients who achieved functional independence, FIMDC ≥90, ate normally and experienced less "appetite loss" [40.5% vs. 68.4%; P = 0.048]. Weight loss was the strongest negative predictor of delta-FIM (B = -9.094; P = 0.007). To conclude, nutritional status, mainly weight change, is an independent negative predictor for rehabilitation success.
Keywords: Appetite; fractures; poor nutrition; rehabilitation goals; weight.