Citation

Vivanti A, Ward N, Haines T. J. Nutr. Health Aging 2011; 15(5): 388-391.

Affiliation

A. Vivanti, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Princess Alexandra Hospital Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba 4102, Australia. Phone: +61 7 3176 5099, Fax: +61 7 3176 5619. E-mail: angela_vivanti@health.qld.gov.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

21528166

Abstract

Objectives: To explore associations between nutritional status, falls and selected falls risk factors amongst older hospitalized people. Lengths of stay amongst fallers and the malnourished were assessed. Design: An observational longitudinal cohort study. Setting: Geriatric Assessment and Rehabilitation Unit (GARU) of a tertiary teaching hospital. Participants: Admissions to the GARU during a six-month period were included. Measurements: Associations between nutritional status and falls during hospitalization, reported preadmission history of falls, functional status, balance and mobility during GARU admission were analysed. Associations between nutritional status or experiencing a hospital fall and length of stay were also examined. Results: Malnutrition prevalence was 39% (75/194, 95% CI 32-46%) with odds of falling during admission being 1.49 (95%CI: 0.81, 2.75), p< 0.20). Patients assessed as malnourished were older (p<0.001) and more likely to have a poorer score on both the admission (p<0.05) and discharge (p<0.009) timed "Up and Go" test. Malnutrition was associated with reduced mobility (p<0.05). Those who fell during admission had statistically greater lengths of stay compared with non-fallers [median (range): 57.0 (7-127) vs 35.0 (5-227) days; p<0.002]. Conclusion: Evidence of reduced mobility was evident during GARU admission amongst older people assessed as malnourished. Considering the results, a larger study concerning nutritional status, functionality and falls in the hospitalized population is warranted. The influence of nutritional status upon a person's physical functioning should be considered more broadly in falls research.

Language: en