Malnutrition in nursing home residents: A nutritionDay analysis of staff judgment of residents’ nutritional status and a validated tool
Galicia Ernst I, Siebentritt H, Tarantino S, Hiesmayr M, Volkert D (2025)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2025
Journal
Book Volume: 68
Pages Range: 326-334
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.05.023
Abstract
Background & aims: Malnutrition among nursing home (NH) residents increases the mortality risk, with prevalence differing based on the screening tool utilized. This study aims to analyze the differences between NH staff's judgment of residents' nutritional status (NH staff) and Mini Nutritional Assessment Short-Form® (MNA) and examine the relationship between these methods and various health factors with six-month mortality in NH residents. Methods: The nutritionDay is a one-day cross-sectional audit with outcome evaluation. The analysis included NH residents ≥65 years old from units participating with ≥5 residents. Differences between NH staff and MNA were analyzed using a cross table, and concordance, minor, and major discrepancies were calculated. Mortality rates for residents with malnutrition, according to both methods, are reported. Two unadjusted and five adjusted binomial logistic regression models analyzed differences regarding mortality, MNA, and NH staff. Results: The analysis included 7767 residents (mean age of 87 ± 8 years, 74 % female). MNA identified 18.4 % as malnourished and 48.7 % at risk, while NH staff classified 10.2 % as malnourished and 26.2 % at risk. MNA and NH staff categorizations concurred in 52 % of the cases, 44 % were minor, and 4 % major discrepancies. Overall mortality was 13.8 %, with higher rates observed among malnourished residents (27.1 % MNA and 27.0 % NH staff) and at risk (19.1 % MNA, 13.8 % NH staff). The odds ratio (OR) for mortality was higher for malnourished residents and those at risk (MNA OR 4.4 [95 % confidence interval (CI) 3.6–5.5]; at risk MNA 2.2 [1.8–2.6]) and malnutrition NH staff 2.8 [2.3–3.4]; at risk NH staff 1.988 [1.7–2.3]). These associations were consistent across models, with differences in OR and 95 % CI. Factors such as the inability to express oneself, requiring ≥5 drugs/day, >120 min of care/day, and almost all MNA items were linked to increased mortality risk. Conclusions: The prevalence of malnutrition varied depending on the screening method, with the MNA identifying more residents as malnourished or at risk than the NH staff. Both MNA and NH staff were associated with six-month mortality, confirming previous literature. Consistency across models indicates robust predictors for identifying high-risk residents.
Authors with CRIS profile
Isabel Galicia Ernst
Professur für Klinische Ernährung im Alter
Hanna Siebentritt
Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin (Geriatrie)
Dorothee Volkert
Professur für Klinische Ernährung im Alter
Involved external institutions
Austria (AT)How to cite
APA:
Galicia Ernst, I., Siebentritt, H., Tarantino, S., Hiesmayr, M., & Volkert, D. (2025). Malnutrition in nursing home residents: A nutritionDay analysis of staff judgment of residents’ nutritional status and a validated tool. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 68, 326-334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnesp.2025.05.023
MLA:
Galicia Ernst, Isabel, et al. "Malnutrition in nursing home residents: A nutritionDay analysis of staff judgment of residents’ nutritional status and a validated tool." Clinical Nutrition ESPEN 68 (2025): 326-334.
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