A Comparative Study of Well-Nourished and Malnutrition-Risk Older People Living in Nursing Home: Vitamin D Status and Physical Function Parameters

This study aims to investigate the Vit D status, physical function parameters and analyze their correlation in older nursing home residents with malnutrition risk and malnutrition. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study and recruited 152 older residents from multiple nursing homes and divided into well-nourished (n=34), malnutrition risk (n=102) and malnutrition (n=16) groups. The nutrition status was evaluated by mini nutritional assessment short form (MNA-SF), then anthropometric data, biochemical blood test and physical function parameters were evaluated and compared among groups. Compared with well-nourished group, BW (body weight), BMI (body mass index), ASMI (appendicular skeletal muscle index) and calf circumference were significantly lower in the malnutrition risk and malnutrition groups. The malnutrition risk and malnutrition groups also represented the significantly higher SOF (study of osteoporotic fractures) score than that of well-nourished group. Three groups showed the Vit D insufficiency that means blood 25(OH)D level is less than 30ng/dL, although there is no difference among three groups. In addition, The MNA-SF was negatively correlated with BMI, ASMI and calf circumference, whereas positively correlated with SOF score. Regarding the odd ratios, when the score of MNA-SF was low, the odds ratios of low ASMI, low calf circumference, and high SOF score were significantly increased. The institutionalized older adults with malnutrition risk or malnutrition had lower ASMI and calf circumference. However, regardless of nutritional status, occurrence of Vit D insufficiency was observed, and Vit D showed no significant correlation with physical function parameters among the older adults in the nursing home.