Nutritional Status Predicts Functional Recovery and Adverse Outcomes in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study

ABSTRACT Background Despite the high prevalence of malnutrition in acutely ill older patients, nutritional status is rarely assessed in emergency departments (EDs), and the impact of nutritional risk screening on functional recovery is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the associati...

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Main Authors: Ludiane Alves doNascimento, Marlon Juliano Romero Aliberti, Natalia Golin, Erika Suíter, Christian Valle Morinaga, Thiago Junqueira Avelino Silva, Pedro Kallas Curiati
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.13819
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author Ludiane Alves doNascimento
Marlon Juliano Romero Aliberti
Natalia Golin
Erika Suíter
Christian Valle Morinaga
Thiago Junqueira Avelino Silva
Pedro Kallas Curiati
author_facet Ludiane Alves doNascimento
Marlon Juliano Romero Aliberti
Natalia Golin
Erika Suíter
Christian Valle Morinaga
Thiago Junqueira Avelino Silva
Pedro Kallas Curiati
author_sort Ludiane Alves doNascimento
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Background Despite the high prevalence of malnutrition in acutely ill older patients, nutritional status is rarely assessed in emergency departments (EDs), and the impact of nutritional risk screening on functional recovery is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between nutritional parameters and a range of outcomes in older patients admitted through the ED. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted at tertiary hospital, enrolling patients aged 65 years or older between November 2021 and April 2022. We collected data on various patient parameters, including demographics, clinical factors (Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI], National Early Warning Score 2), nutritional status (Nutritional Risk Screening 2002; Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria) and geriatric measures (Clinical Frailty Scale, Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living [ADL], Lawton and Brody Instrumental ADL, and PRO‐AGE vulnerability tool). The primary outcome was functional recovery, and secondary outcomes included nosocomial infection, prolonged length of stay (LoS), in‐hospital and postdischarge mortality, and hospital readmissions up to 6 months. Fine–Gray competing risks regression and multivariable logistic regressions were employed and adjusted for age, sex, education, CCI, functional status, LoS and initial allocation to intensive care. Results A total of 780 patients (mean age 80 ± 9 years, predominantly male) were included, with 32.2% identified as at nutritional risk and 22.1% diagnosed with malnutrition. Patients with no nutritional risk had a higher significantly functional recovery up to 6 months (79% vs. 66%, sub‐HR = 1.28, 95%CI 1.04–1.57, p = 0.029), whereas nutritional risk was independently associated with in‐hospital (13% vs. 2%, OR = 4.24, 95%CI 1.53–11.74, p = 0.005) and postdischarge (14% vs. 4%, OR = 2.76, 95%CI 1.17–6.49, p = 0.02) mortality. Finally, malnutrition was independently associated with nosocomial infection (12% vs. 2%, OR = 5.43, 95%CI 2.56–11.5, p < 0.001), prolonged LoS (56% vs. 22%, OR = 2.79, 95%CI 1.84–4.22, p < 0.001) and postdischarge mortality (13% vs. 4%, OR = 2.76, 95%CI 1.36–5.61, p = 0.005). Conclusions Nutritional parameters were significant predictors of functional recovery, nosocomial infection, prolonged LoS and mortality in older patients admitted through the ED. Early identification and interventions targeting nutritional deficiencies should be explored to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.
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spelling doaj-art-1907256f3c4e4455a85920254f2cabc02025-08-20T02:35:37ZengWileyJournal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle2190-59912190-60092025-04-01162n/an/a10.1002/jcsm.13819Nutritional Status Predicts Functional Recovery and Adverse Outcomes in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort StudyLudiane Alves doNascimento0Marlon Juliano Romero Aliberti1Natalia Golin2Erika Suíter3Christian Valle Morinaga4Thiago Junqueira Avelino Silva5Pedro Kallas Curiati6Department of Nutrition Hospital Sírio‐Libanês Sao Paulo BrazilGeriatric Emergency Department Research Group (ProAGE) Hospital Sírio‐Libanês Sao Paulo BrazilDepartment of Nutrition Hospital Sírio‐Libanês Sao Paulo BrazilDepartment of Nutrition Hospital Sírio‐Libanês Sao Paulo BrazilGeriatric Emergency Department Research Group (ProAGE) Hospital Sírio‐Libanês Sao Paulo BrazilGeriatric Emergency Department Research Group (ProAGE) Hospital Sírio‐Libanês Sao Paulo BrazilGeriatric Emergency Department Research Group (ProAGE) Hospital Sírio‐Libanês Sao Paulo BrazilABSTRACT Background Despite the high prevalence of malnutrition in acutely ill older patients, nutritional status is rarely assessed in emergency departments (EDs), and the impact of nutritional risk screening on functional recovery is poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between nutritional parameters and a range of outcomes in older patients admitted through the ED. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted at tertiary hospital, enrolling patients aged 65 years or older between November 2021 and April 2022. We collected data on various patient parameters, including demographics, clinical factors (Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI], National Early Warning Score 2), nutritional status (Nutritional Risk Screening 2002; Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition criteria) and geriatric measures (Clinical Frailty Scale, Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living [ADL], Lawton and Brody Instrumental ADL, and PRO‐AGE vulnerability tool). The primary outcome was functional recovery, and secondary outcomes included nosocomial infection, prolonged length of stay (LoS), in‐hospital and postdischarge mortality, and hospital readmissions up to 6 months. Fine–Gray competing risks regression and multivariable logistic regressions were employed and adjusted for age, sex, education, CCI, functional status, LoS and initial allocation to intensive care. Results A total of 780 patients (mean age 80 ± 9 years, predominantly male) were included, with 32.2% identified as at nutritional risk and 22.1% diagnosed with malnutrition. Patients with no nutritional risk had a higher significantly functional recovery up to 6 months (79% vs. 66%, sub‐HR = 1.28, 95%CI 1.04–1.57, p = 0.029), whereas nutritional risk was independently associated with in‐hospital (13% vs. 2%, OR = 4.24, 95%CI 1.53–11.74, p = 0.005) and postdischarge (14% vs. 4%, OR = 2.76, 95%CI 1.17–6.49, p = 0.02) mortality. Finally, malnutrition was independently associated with nosocomial infection (12% vs. 2%, OR = 5.43, 95%CI 2.56–11.5, p < 0.001), prolonged LoS (56% vs. 22%, OR = 2.79, 95%CI 1.84–4.22, p < 0.001) and postdischarge mortality (13% vs. 4%, OR = 2.76, 95%CI 1.36–5.61, p = 0.005). Conclusions Nutritional parameters were significant predictors of functional recovery, nosocomial infection, prolonged LoS and mortality in older patients admitted through the ED. Early identification and interventions targeting nutritional deficiencies should be explored to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population.https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.13819clinical outcomesemergency departmentGLIM criteriamalnutritionolder adults
spellingShingle Ludiane Alves doNascimento
Marlon Juliano Romero Aliberti
Natalia Golin
Erika Suíter
Christian Valle Morinaga
Thiago Junqueira Avelino Silva
Pedro Kallas Curiati
Nutritional Status Predicts Functional Recovery and Adverse Outcomes in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study
Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle
clinical outcomes
emergency department
GLIM criteria
malnutrition
older adults
title Nutritional Status Predicts Functional Recovery and Adverse Outcomes in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study
title_full Nutritional Status Predicts Functional Recovery and Adverse Outcomes in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study
title_fullStr Nutritional Status Predicts Functional Recovery and Adverse Outcomes in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study
title_full_unstemmed Nutritional Status Predicts Functional Recovery and Adverse Outcomes in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study
title_short Nutritional Status Predicts Functional Recovery and Adverse Outcomes in Older Adults: A Prospective Cohort Study
title_sort nutritional status predicts functional recovery and adverse outcomes in older adults a prospective cohort study
topic clinical outcomes
emergency department
GLIM criteria
malnutrition
older adults
url https://doi.org/10.1002/jcsm.13819
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