Older adults are no strangers to malnutrition, which has been shown to be associated with chronic diseases and geriatric syndromes such as depression, frailty, sarcopenia, polypharmacy, cognitive impairment, and functional dependence, according to a study.
“Therefore, it is of great importance to provide early nutritional intervention to older adults with malnutrition or at risk of malnutrition,” the researchers said. “Nutritional assessment in older adults should be carried out in conjunction with evaluation of depression, cognitive status, sarcopenia, and functional independence, and interventions should utilize a multidisciplinary approach.”
In this study conducted in Turkey, a retrospective analysis was performed using data of patients aged ≥65 years seen in a university geriatric outpatient clinic between January 2024 and January 2025. The researchers also examined demographic, clinical, and laboratory data, as well as the results of a comprehensive geriatric assessment.
Overall, 723 patients (median age 70 years, 55.9 percent women) were analysed. Malnutrition prevalence was 14.5 percent (95 percent confidence interval [CI], 12.1‒17.3), while its risk stood at 23.9 percent (95 percent CI, 21.0‒27.2). [Asia Pac J Clin Nutr 2026;35:360-368]
The following factors significantly correlated with malnutrition: advanced age (p=0.002), female gender (p<0.001), chronic heart failure (p=0.001), coronary heart disease (p=0.001), chronic lung disease (p=0.035), osteoporosis (p=0.001), and depression (p=0.001).
In geriatric assessments, older patients with malnutrition were more likely to have cognitive impairment and face difficulties in doing everyday activities, as shown by their lower scores for independence in basic and instrumental activities of daily living and cognitive function. They also had higher comorbidity burden, number of drugs use, and depression, sarcopenia, and frailty scores (p<0.001 for all).
Regional differences
“Malnutrition is a geriatric syndrome with significant negative consequences for older adults in our country, as elsewhere in the world,” the researchers said. [Nutrients 2018;10:374]
Malnutrition prevalence among older adults also varied across the region, depending on the socioeconomic level of each country. High-income countries had low rates of malnutrition, while low- and middle-income countries had higher rates.
For instance, Europe had a 2.1-percent rate of malnutrition, while that in Asia was 4.8 percent. In Iran, India, Nepal, and Ethiopia, malnutrition was reported in 12.2 percent, 16.3 percent, 24.0 percent, and 26.6 percent of older adults, respectively. [Lancet 2023;401:951-966; BMC Geriatr 2020;20:498]
Studies in Turkey reported malnutrition rates between 6.6 percent and 19.0 percent, and prevalence ranging from 29.1 percent to 31.6 percent. [Clin Nutr 2010;29:745-748; Med Sci Monit 2015;21:2750-2756; Aging Clin Exp Res 2020;32:673-680]
“Our estimates are therefore consistent with those reported for community dwelling and outpatient older adults in similar socioeconomic contexts and highlight that almost two in five patients seen in geriatric clinics are either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition,” the researchers said.
“Similar rates were obtained in our study, supporting the role of geographical and socioeconomic factors in these regional differences,” they added.
“Malnutrition risk is as important as malnutrition and has been associated with various adverse clinical outcomes,” the researchers said. [J Nutr Health Aging 2018;22:928-933; Clin Nutr ESPEN 2016;15:57-62]