Role of visceral proteins in detecting malnutrition in the elderly

Authors :: M Buttarello
Alessandra Coin
S Mulone
S Marin
G. Sergi
M Peloso
P Bonometto
Stefania Volpato
Emine Meral Inelmen
Giuliano Enzi
Source :: European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 60:203-209
Publication Year :: 2005
Publisher :: Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2005.
Abstract: In the clinical practice, visceral proteins are used as indirect markers of protein energy malnutrition (PEM), but their reliability could be reduced with advancing age. The aim of this work is to investigate the reliability of albumin, prealbumin, retinol-binding protein (RBP) and transferrin in evaluating nutritional status in old patients and their relationship with fat-free mass (FFM). Cross-sectional study. Padua, Italy. In 44 underweight (body mass index