307 A Survey of Nutritional Status of Older Patients Attending Medicine for Older Person Clinics (Age and Ageing)

AbstractBackgroundNutritional assessment is an important but frequently overlooked aspect of comprehensive geriatric assessment. Malnutrition is common and associated with clinical complications. Our study aimed to assess older patients` perceptions of their nutritional status and to investigate clinical factors affecting it.MethodsAll patients attending our clinics over a 2 week period were invited to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Further clinical information including diagnosis and weight collected by review of medical notes.ResultsA total of 43 patients completed the questionnaire; median age 82.5 years (67-102). Of these, 69.8%(n=30) were female and 27.9% (n=12) lived alone. Majority reported good appetite (83.7%, n=36) and eating 3 meals a day (79.1%,n=34). 25.6%(n=11) prepared meals themselves and 34.9%(n=15) had received nutritional advise from healthcare professionals.17 patients (39.5%) self-reported weight loss over the past year, and of these 76.5% (n=13) had objective weight loss documented. Only 2.3% (n=1) were concerned and seek advice from healthcare professionals. 50% (n=12) of the remaining 24 patients who self-reported no weight loss had objective weight loss in clinic. 26 (60.5%) patients had objective weight loss.A higher proportion of the weight loss cohort lived alone (30.8% vs 23.5%), had no home care packages(HCP) (65.4% vs 47.1%), did not take nutritional supplement (76.9% vs 58.8%), had no dentures ( 42.5% vs 23.5%) and had no diagnosis of dementia (57.7% vs 47.1%).Of those who lost weight, 34.6% (n=9) lost significant amount (>5%) of weight, including 4 (15.4%) who lost >10%.Conclusion2 out of 3 of our community dwelling, older patients lost weight, with one third having lost significant amount. Awareness is poor with 50% not recognising their weight loss and only one third ever sought nutritional advice. Patients who lost weight were more likely to be living alone with no formal community supports.