Relationship between chronic diseases and diet in older persons in nursing homes

This study aimed to determine the relationship between chronic diseases and nutrition in the older adults in a nursing home. In 2014 and 2019, we investigated older people aged 60 years and over living in a nursing home in Izmir and who agreed to participate and could perform self-care. A 26-item questionnaire that focuses on sociodemographic, socioeconomic and chronic disease characteristics, and the Turkish version of Mini Nutritional Assessment Test-Short Form were applied using the face-to-face method. In 2014, 68.9% of the older had no malnutrition risk, 23% had malnutrition risk, and 8.1% had malnutrition. The women had a higher malnutrition risk and actual malnutrition than men (P<0.05). Malnutrition was most common in 75-84 years of age. In 2019, 41.6% of the older had malnutrition risk, whereas 7.8% had actual malnutrition. No difference was found between malnutrition and malnutrition risk, between women and men and between age and sex (P>0.05). At both times, malnutrition risk increased in those with chronic disease (P<0.05). At least one chronic disease (high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, etc.) was found in 67.6% of the older. Meanwhile, 70.1% had been previously hospitalized for some reason. Malnutrition risk increases with old age. An adequate and well-balanced diet is important for protecting health and increasing longevity and quality of life in old age. Older people and nursing home employees need to be trained on the relationship and risks of chronic disease and malnutrition.