Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) in hospital settings.

Patients and Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of 55 patients over 65 years of age who were hospitalized in the Endocrinology Department. The diagnosis of malnutrition was established according to the criteria proposed by the HAS 2021.

Results: The mean age of the elderly included was 71.4±6.6 years with a female prevalence (53.7%). The age category >70 years represented 46.3% of our series. The mean HbA1C level was 11.2± 3.2%. Significant glycaemic imbalance (HbA1C>10%) was reported in 77.8% of cases. The majority of patients were on insulin therapy (84.9%). The average weight was 70.6±15.5 kg corresponding to an average BMI of 26.7± 5.5 kg/m^². Among the elderly with diabetes mellitus, 17.8% had a BMI<22. Significant weight loss was noted in 15.9%. The mean albumin level was 33.1± 5.8 g/l with hypoalbuminemia (<30 g/l) affecting 48.5% of patients. The overall prevalence of malnutrition was estimated at 37.5%. It was severe in 14.6%.

Discussion: The prevalence of malnutrition is estimated at 4-10% in the family home, 15-38% in institutions, and 30-70% in hospitals depending on the series. The consequences of poor nutrition are numerous and particularly detrimental in the elderly: increased mortality, frequency of complications during hospitalization (infections, bedsores, falls, etc.), and increased hospital expenditure. Nutritional screening is essential for all senior patients with DM, regardless of their caloric intake and BMI.

References: 1. Cascio, Brooke L., and John V. Logomarsino. "Evaluating the effectiveness of five screening tools used to identify malnutrition risk in hospitalized elderly: A systematic review." Geriatric Nursing 39.1 (2018): 95-102.2. Orsitto, Giuseppe, et al. "Nutritional status in hospitalized elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment." Clinical Nutrition 28.1 (2009): 100-102.