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Protein-energy malnutrition is a health concern among older adults. Improving nutritional status by increasing energy and protein intake likely benefits health. We therefore aimed to investigate effects of nutritional interventions in older adults (at risk of malnutrition) on change in energy intake and body weight, and explore if the intervention effect was modified by study or participants' characteristics, analysing pooled individual participant data. We searched for RCTs investigating the effect of dietary counseling, oral nutritional supplements (ONS) or both on energy intake and weight. Principle investigators of eligible studies provided individual participant data. We investigated the effect of nutritional intervention on meaningful increase in energy intake (>250 kcal/day) and meaningful weight gain (>1.0 kg). Logistic generalized estimating equations were performed and ORs with 95% CIs presented. We included data of nine studies with a total of 990 participants, aged 79.2 ± 8.2 years, 64.5% women and mean baseline BMI 23.9 ± 4.7 kg/m2. An non-significant intervention effect was observed for increase in energy intake (OR:1.59; 95% CI 0.95, 2.66) and a significant intervention effect for weight gain (OR:1.58; 95% CI 1.16, 2.17). Stratifying by type of intervention, an intervention effect on increase in energy intake was only observed for dietary counseling in combination with ONS (OR:2.28; 95% CI 1.90, 2.73). The intervention effect on increase in energy intake was greater for women, older participants, and those with lower BMI. Regarding weight gain, an intervention effect was observed for dietary counseling (OR:1.40; 95% CI 1.14, 1.73) and dietary counseling in combination with ONS (OR:2.48; 95% CI 1.92, 3.31). The intervention effect on weight gain was not influenced by participants' characteristics. Based on pooled data of older adults (at risk of malnutrition), nutritional interventions have a positive effect on energy intake and body weight. Dietary counseling combined with ONS is the most effective intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background & aims The assessment of weight loss as an indicator of poor nutritional status in older persons is currently widely applied to establish risk of mortality. Little is known about the relationship between changes in mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) and mortality in older individuals. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between 3-year change in MUAC and 20-year mortality in community-dwelling older adults and compare this to the association between body mass index (BMI) change and mortality. Methods Data on changes in MUAC (cm) and BMI (kg/m2), covariates, and mortality were available for 1307 Dutch older adults (49.7% men) aged 65 years and older in 1995/96 (mean 75.6 years, SD 6.5) from Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA). Anthropometric measurements were performed in 1992/93 with repeated measurements in 1995/96 (baseline), and a mortality follow up until July 2015. BMI and MUAC change were divided into quintiles, with the quintile including zero defined as the reference category. Cox regression analyses were performed to examine the associations of 3-year changes in MUAC and BMI with subsequent 20-year all-cause mortality, adjusted for demographic and health factors. Age, sex and initial measurement of BMI and MUAC (1992/93) were tested for effect modification (P = <0.10). Results Mean baseline BMI was 26.7 kg/m2 (SD 4.2) with a 3-year change of −0.2 (SD 1.5). Mean baseline MUAC was 30.5 cm (SD 3.5) with a 3-year change of −0.8 (SD 1.6). Age, sex, and BMI and MUAC 3 years prior were effect modifiers in the associations between change in anthropometric measurement and mortality. Decrease in MUAC was not associated with mortality in persons with a higher initial MUAC (≥31 cm), while for persons with a lower initial MUAC, a decrease in MUAC of ≤−2.15 was associated with increased mortality risk (HR 1.54; 95% CI: 1.14–2.09), also when further stratified on median age and sex. In stratified analysis of BMI change for median initial BMI (26.5) and additionally stratified for median age and sex, the associations between a BMI decrease of ≤−1.19 and mortality fluctuated, mostly statistically not significant. No associations were found for gain in MUAC or BMI. Conclusions Given that MUAC loss is more strongly and consistently associated with an increased mortality risk in older individuals with a low initial MUAC compared to BMI loss, this may be a more recommendable measure to use in clinical practice for assessing poor nutritional status, instead of weight loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background & aims Undernutrition in old age is associated with increased morbidity, mortality and health care costs. Treatment by caloric supplementation results in weight gain, but compliance is poor in the long run. Few studies targeted underlying causes of undernutrition in community-dwelling older adults. This study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a multifactorial personalized intervention focused on eliminating or managing the underlying causes of undernutrition to prevent and reduce undernutrition in comparison with usual care. Methods A randomized controlled trial was performed among 155 community-dwelling older adults receiving home care with or at risk of undernutrition. The intervention included a personalized action plan and 6 months support. The control group received usual care. Body weight, and secondary outcomes were measured in both groups at baseline and 6 months follow-up. Multiple imputation, linear regression and generalized estimating equation analyses were used to analyze intervention effects. In the cost-effectiveness analyses regression models were bootstrapped to estimate statistical uncertainty. Results This intervention showed no statistically significant effects on body weight, mid-upper arm circumference, grip strength, gait speed and 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey physical component scale as compared to usual care, but there was an effect on the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey mental component scale (0–100) (β = 8.940, p = 0.001). Borderline significant intervention effects were found for both objective and subjective physical function measures, Short Physical Performance Battery (0–12) (β = 0.56, p = 0.08) and ADL-Barthel score (0–20) (β = 0.69, p = 0.09). Societal costs in the intervention group were statistically non-significantly lower than in the control group (mean difference −274; 95% CI −1111; 782). Cost-effectiveness acceptability curves showed that the probability of cost-effectiveness was 0.72 at a willingness-to-pay of 1000 €/kg weight gain and 0.80 at a willingness-to-pay of 20,000 €/quality-adjusted life year gained. Conclusions This multifactorial personalized intervention showed a statistically non-significant effect and was not cost-effective on body-weight compared to usual care. We observed consistently beneficial treatment effects in the intervention group on all outcomes measures. Clinical trial registry number and website NTR5184 ( www.trialregister.nl ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Background & aims With the rapidly increasing number of malnourished older persons in the community, this review aims to summarize the effects of nutritional intervention studies for this target group. Methods Based on 2 previous reviews (2009, 2011) an update of the literature was performed. Selected were higher quality studies which included malnourished community dwelling older adults who received dietetic counselling and/or oral nutritional supplements. Results Ten studies were included. Six studies showed (trends towards) weight gain. Meta-analysis showed a modest effect of the intervention on weight gain, standardized mean difference 0.210 kg (95% CI 0.03–0.40). Effects on other relevant functional and clinical outcomes were inconsistent. Studies were hampered by low sample sizes, low adherence to the interventions, and participants not meeting nutritional requirements. Conclusion Currently, nutritional intervention studies for malnourished community dwelling older adults show limited effects, which may be caused by methodological shortcomings and participants not meeting treatment goals. High quality studies are eagerly awaited to be able to identify (sub)groups of older persons who are most likely to benefit from nutritional support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background & aims: There is no valid, fast and easy-to-apply set of criteria to determine (risk of) undernutrition in community-dwelling older persons. The aim of this study was to develop and validate such criteria. Methods: Selection of potential anthropometric and undernutrition-related items was based on consensus literature. The criteria were developed using 15-year mortality in community-dwelling older persons ≥ 65 years (Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, n = 1687) and validated in an independent sample (InCHIANTI, n = 1142). Results: Groups distinguished were: (1) undernutrition (mid-upper arm circumference <25 cm or involuntary weight loss ≥4 kg/6 months); (2) risk of undernutrition (poor appetite and difficulties climbing staircase); and (3) no undernutrition (others). Respective hazard ratio’s for 15-year mortality were: (1) 2.22 (95% CI 1.83–2.69); and (2) 1.57 (1.22–2.01) ((3) = reference). The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.55. Comparable results were found stratified by sex, excluding cancer/obstructive lung disease/(past) smoking, using 6-year mortality, and applying results to the InCHIANTI study (hazard ratio’s 2.12 and 2.46, AUC 0.59). Conclusions: The developed set of criteria (SNAQ65+) for determining (risk of) undernutrition in community-dwelling older persons shows good face validity and moderate predictive validity based on the consistent association with mortality in a second independent study sample. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]