Nutritional assessment and nutritional status of centenarians (based on the materials of the study “Centenary citizen” in Moscow)

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition and micro- and macronutrient deficiencies are common in people aged 95 years and older. For timely detection of nutritional disorders, it is crucial to regularly examine centenarians and, if necessary, correct an individual patient management plan. A well-balanced diet is one of the fundamental factors for the normal functioning of the human body throughout its life. With age, for various reasons, the risk of malnutrition increases, however, the nutritional status of centenarians is currently not fully understood due to the difficulties of diagnosis.

AIM: To evaluate nutritional status and its impact on life expectancy in patients aged 95 years and older, to identify the main determinants that affect the development of malnutrition, and to assess their impact on three-year survival of centenarians.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Analyzed the results of a Mini Nutritional Assessment, general and biochemical blood tests (including such parameters as hemoglobin levels, iron levels, total protein, albumin, vitamin B12, vitamin D, folic acid) in non-institutionalized people aged 95 and older living in Moscow. All studies were conducted at home in the presence of relatives and/or social workers after signing a voluntary informed consent.

RESULTS: The study included 82 people, mean age (98.3±1.89) years; 87.8% were women. Of all the study participants, 56.1% (n=46) were at risk of developing malnutrition, and 11% (n=9) had malnutrition syndrome. Among the 64 participants who took the blood test, anemia was diagnosed in 71.9% (n=46), with macrocytic in 10.9% (n=5), normocytic in 84.8% (n=39), and microcytic in 4.3% (n=2) of patients. Hypoalbuminemia was identified in 16.9% (n=11 of 65) of participants. Of the 50 people who were screened for vitamin D levels, vitamin D deficiency was found in 98% (n=49 out of 50). The following factors influenced survival: a Mini Nutritional Assessment score of more than 24 reduces the risk of 3-year death by 72% (odds ratio (OR) — 0.28, confidence interval (CI) — 0.1–0.8), anemia increases the adverse risk by 3 times (OR=3.1, CI 1.1–8.9). The main clinical conditions associated with a higher risk of developing malnutrition were anemia (OR=3.1, CI 1.1–8.9) and chewing problems (OR=2.8, CI 0.9–7.8).

CONCLUSIONS: Conducting a nutrition assessment and drawing up a program for the prevention of malnutrition syndrome in centenarians will improve the quality of life and increase life expectancy.