Effects of Nutritional Interventions in Older Adults with Malnutrition or at Risk of Malnutrition on Muscle Strength and Mortality: Results of Pooled Analyses of Individual Participant Data from Nine RCTs

van Zwienen-Pot JI, Reinders I, de Groot LC, Beck AM, Feldblum I, Jobse I, Neelemaat F, de van der Schueren MA, Shahar DR, Smeets ET, Tieland M, Wijnhoven HA, Volkert D, Visser M (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Nutrients MDPI

Book Volume: 15

Article Number: 2025

Journal Issue: 9

DOI: 10.3390/nu15092025

Abstract

Nutritional intervention studies in older adults with malnutrition aim to improve nutritional status. Although these studies show a significant gain in body weight, there is inconsistent evidence of clinical effectiveness on muscle strength and mortality. This study aimed to examine the effects of nutritional interventions on muscle strength and risk of mortality in older adults (malnourished or at risk) and explore whether these effects are influenced by participant characteristics. Individual participant data were used from nine RCTs (community setting, hospital and long-term care; duration 12–24 weeks and included oral nutritional supplements, dietary counseling, or both). Handgrip strength (HGS) was measured in seven RCTs and six RCTs obtained mortality data. A ≥3 kg increase in HGS was considered clinically relevant. Logistic generalized estimating equations analyses (GEE) were used to test intervention effectiveness. GEE showed no overall treatment effect (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.78–1.59) on HGS. A greater, but not statistically significant, effect on HGS was observed for older (>80 years) versus younger participants. No significant treatment effect was observed for mortality (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.42–1.46). The treatment effect on mortality was greater but remained non-significant for women and those with higher baseline energy or protein intake. In conclusion, no effects of nutritional interventions were observed on HGS and mortality in older adults (malnourished or at risk). While the treatment effect was modified by some baseline participant characteristics, the treatment also lacked an effect in most subgroups.

Involved external institutions

Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences / Hogeschool Rotterdam NL Netherlands (NL) Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) / University Amsterdam NL Netherlands (NL) Wageningen University & Research NL Netherlands (NL) Copenhagen University Hospital DK Denmark (DK) Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) / אוניברסיטת בן-גוריון בנגב IL Israel (IL) Amsterdam University Medical Centers (Amsterdam UMC) / Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra NL Netherlands (NL) University of Amsterdam NL Netherlands (NL)

How to cite

APA:

van Zwienen-Pot, J.I., Reinders, I., de Groot, L.C., Beck, A.M., Feldblum, I., Jobse, I.,... Visser, M. (2023). Effects of Nutritional Interventions in Older Adults with Malnutrition or at Risk of Malnutrition on Muscle Strength and Mortality: Results of Pooled Analyses of Individual Participant Data from Nine RCTs. Nutrients, 15(9). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15092025

MLA:

van Zwienen-Pot, Judith I., et al. "Effects of Nutritional Interventions in Older Adults with Malnutrition or at Risk of Malnutrition on Muscle Strength and Mortality: Results of Pooled Analyses of Individual Participant Data from Nine RCTs." Nutrients 15.9 (2023).

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