Non-institutionalized nonagenarians health-related quality of life and nutritional status: is there a link between them?

Nutr Hosp. 2014 Sep 1;30(3):602-8. doi: 10.3305/nh.2014.30.3.7174.

Abstract

Introduction: Nonagenarian population, clearly increasing, shows different characteristics from the rest of elderly people. Health-related quality of life is a way to study population health in physical, psychological and social dimensions.

Objectives: To examine the relationship between nutritional status and health-related quality of life in a group of free-living nonagenarians. Differences with octogenarians were also studied.

Methods: Within Villanueva Older Health Study, 20 non-institutionalised people (92.5 ± 3.5 years; 80% women) make the nonagenarian subsample. Nutritional risk was assessed by Mininutritional Assessment questionnaire, dietary intake by a 24-hour dietary recall and health-related quality of life by EuroQoL-5D questionnaire. SPSS was used for statistical analysis.

Results: 40% nonagenarians were at risk of malnutrition. Dietary assessment showed magnesium, zinc, potassium, folic acid, vitamin D and vitamin E deficiencies. Problems in mobility were more frequently reported (80%). EQ-5Dindex was associated with MNA(p<0.05). Self-care dimension was associated with calcium and niacin(p<0.05), retinol and cholesterol(p<0.01) intake. Usual activities dimension was associated with niacin(p<0.01) and cholesterol(p<0.05) intake. Pain/discomfort dimension was associated with protein(p<0.01), energy, selenium and niacin(p<0.05) intake. Anxiety/depression was associated with protein(p<0.01) and selenium(p<0.05) intake.

Conclusions: Risk of malnutrition is a factor associated to health-related quality of life. Results suggest that energy and some nutrient intakes could be possibly associated to health-related quality of life but further research on this influence is required.

Introducción: La población nonagenaria, en claro crecimiento, muestra características diferentes del resto de la población anciana. La calidad de vida relacionada con la salud es una forma de estudiar la salud de la población en sus dimensiones física, psicológica y social.

Objetivos: Observar la relación entre el estado nutricional y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en un grupo de nonagenarios de vida independiente. También se estudian las diferencias con los octogenarios.

Método: Dentro del Estudio sobre Salud en Mayores de Villanueva de la Cañada, 20 personas (92,5±3,5 años; 80% mujeres) forman la submuestra de nonagenarios. El riesgo nutricional fue valorado mediante el Mininutritional Assessment, la ingesta dietética mediante un recuerdo de 24 horas y la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud usando el cuestionario EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D). Para el análisis estadístico se utilizó el programa SPSS.

Resultados: 40% de los nonagenarios presentaban riesgo de malnutrición. Se detectaron posibles deficiencias de magnesio, cinc, potasio, ácido fólico, vitamina D y vitamina E. Los problemas de movilidad fueron los más frecuentes (80%). El EQ-5Dindice se asoció con el MNA(p.

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nutritional Status*
  • Quality of Life*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires