STRENGTH OUTCOMES AND RISK OF MALNUTRITION IN PRE-FRAIL ELDERLY: FRAGSALUD PROJECT

Resumen

Frailty involves an age-related progressive detriment in physiological systems, increasing vulnerability and relevant risk factors for health. In this line, malnutrition is an important factor in the pathogenesis of frailty and sarcopenia, and may limit functional capacity and strenght in the elderly.To compare the results in the 5-repetition sit-to-stand (STS) test according to the risk of malnutrition in pre-frail elderly people. Cross-sectional study in 29 Spanish patients over 65 years of age with pre-frailty according to the Fried criteria (15 men and 14 women, aged 76.8±7.7 years). The participants performed the 5-rep STS test in a conventional chair (49 cm), under the order to sit down and get up 5 times from the chair as quicklyas possible. In the 5-rep STS test, the execution time was registered and their variables were calculated. The validated Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire was applied, calculating whether the participants were at risk of malnutrition (≤11 points) or presented a normal nutritional status (≥12 points). The differences in the STS variables in both groups (with or without risk of malnutrition) were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test. Our results showed that the mean force values, according to the STS, were significantly associated with the risk of malnutrition (p=0.047). Thus, pre-frail olders with normal nutritional status presented higher mean force values than those with risk of malnutrition according to the MNA (704.7 ± 151.6 vs. 605.8 ± 79.0 kg∙m∙s-2). The rest of STS outcomes were similar between groups, with a trend (p=0.061) in the STS time.Pre-frail olders with risk of malnutrition have lower mean force values, which could increase the risk of falls and functional dependency compared with those pre-frail olders with normal nutritional status. Both instruments (STS and MNA) are quick and easy to apply in this population from primary care.