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. 2011 May;20(4):575-82.
doi: 10.1007/s11136-010-9788-0. Epub 2010 Nov 13.

Risk of malnutrition and health-related quality of life in community-living elderly men and women: the Tromsø study

Jan-Magnus Kvamme  1 , Jan Abel Olsen, Jon Florholmen, Bjarne K Jacobsen
Affiliations

Risk of malnutrition and health-related quality of life in community-living elderly men and women: the Tromsø study

Jan-Magnus Kvamme et al. Qual Life Res. 2011 May.

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the association between risk of malnutrition as well as current body mass index (BMI) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in elderly men and women from the general population.

Methods: In a cross-sectional population survey including 1,632 men and 1,654 women aged 65 to 87 years from the municipality of Tromsø, Norway, we assessed HRQoL by using the EuroQol (EQ-5D) instrument in three risk groups of malnutrition and in different categories of BMI. The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool ('MUST') was used to evaluate the risk of malnutrition.

Results: We found a significant reduction in HRQoL with an increasing risk of malnutrition, and this was more pronounced in men than in women. The relationship between BMI and HRQoL was dome shaped, with the highest score values in the BMI category being 25-27.5 kg/m(2).

Conclusions: HRQoL was significantly reduced in elderly men and women at risk of malnutrition. The highest HRQoL was seen in moderately overweight individuals.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The malnutrition universal screening tool (‘MUST’) is composed of a BMI score, a weight loss score and an acute illness component. These are added, and based on the sum score, the risk of malnutrition can be assessed. The “Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool” is reproduced here with the kind permission of BAPEN (British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition). For further information on ‘MUST’ and management guidelines, see www.bapen.org.uk
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Meana EQ-5D index by risk of malnutrition in elderly men and women, The Tromsø Study. aAdjusted for age. b P-values for linear trend across the categories. Vertical lines indicate 95% CI
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Mean EQ VAS scoresa by risk of malnutrition in elderly men and women, The Tromsø Study. aAdjusted for age. b P-values for linear trend across the categories. Vertical lines indicate 95% CI
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Mean EQ-5D indexa by different categories of BMI in elderly men and women, The Tromsø study. aAdjusted for age and sex. Vertical lines indicate 95% CI
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Mean EQ VAS scoresa by different categories of BMI in elderly men and women, The Tromsø study. aAdjusted for age and sex. Vertical lines indicate 95% CI
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