Endocrine Abstracts

Objectives: The aim of our study was to assess the nutritional status of elderly diabetics.

Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the National Institute of Nutrition in Tunis including 40 diabetics aged over 65 years. All patients underwent anthropometric measurements (weight, height, body mass index (BMI)), a biological assessment (fasting blood glucose, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c)), a dietary survey and an assessment of nutritional status using the Mini Nutritional Assessment MNA questionnaire.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 71.3±5.5 years, the mean HbA1c was 10.32±2.12%. The dietary survey revealed hypocaloric and hypoprotein intake in 25% and 32.5% of patients respectively. The mean BMI was 31.25±5.97 kg/m², we found weight loss >5% in one month and >10% in 6 months in 10% and 7.5% of patients respectively. Referring to the MNA; almost two thirds of the patients were at risk of malnutrition and 7.5% had a poor nutritional status. Patients with a normal nutritional status according to the MNA had a better glycaemic control than patients with a risk of malnutrition or undernutrition (HbA1c=8.97±1.19% vs 10.9±2.17%, P=0.04). Furthermore, the risk of malnutrition increased significantly with BMI (P=0.011). In contrast, we found no relationship between caloric intake, protein intake and nutritional status according to MNA.

Conclusion: Undernutrition is common in poorly balanced elderly diabetics, justifying a systematic assessment of nutritional status and optimal glycaemic control in these patients.