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Predicting the value of the mini nutritional assessment (MNA) as an indicator of functional ability in older Iranian adults (Kahrizak elderly study)

  • JNHA: Nutrition
  • Published:
The journal of nutrition, health & aging

Abstract

Objective

We aimed to investigate the appropriateness of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) in predicting functional ability in older adults.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

Participants were recruited from the Kahrizak Charity Foundation (KCF).

Measurements

Nutritional and ability status were examined using the MNA and the Barthel Index (BI). Participants were divided according to MNA (≤23.5 and > 23.5).

Results

Two hundred and thirty-five ≥ 60-year-old subjects were studied. The MNA and BI were positively correlated (r = 0.199; P = 0.001). The optimal cut-off point for BI with the highest sensitivity and specificity derived from the ROC curve was approximately 91.5 for males and 83.5 for females. The BI was significantly associated with MNA (odds ratio (OR): 1.89; 95% CI: 1.17–3.05, P = 0.009), mobility (OR: 6.39; 95% CI: 3.43–11.89, P < 0.001), consuming ≥ 2 servings of fruit and vegetables (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.09–4.72, P = 0.02) and self-view of nutritional status (OR: 4.15; 95%CI: 1.26–13.63, P = 0.01). The sensitivity (62.9% in males; 68.2% in females) and specificity (51.4% in males and 52.9% in females) of these cut-off points justifies the appropriateness of the MNA for determining functional ability.

Conclusion

The MNA is potentially able to verify functional status among the elderly (as BI ≥ 91.5 with those of < 91.5 in males and ≥ 83.5 with those of < 83.5 in females) of KCF. It is suggested that this relationship should be further studied in a larger prospective population-based study.

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Abbreviations

MNA:

Mini Nutritional Assessment

BI:

Barthel Index

MUAC:

Mid Upper Arm Circumference

BMI:

Body Mass Index

KCF:

Kahrizak Charity Foundation

GNRI:

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index

ADL:

Activities of Daily Living

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Master of Nutrition, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    M. Mirarefin & M. Ghaderpanahi

  2. Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    M. Mirarefin, Farshad Sharifi, M. Ghaderpanahi, Z. Badamchizade & Y. Tajalizadekhoob

  3. MPH of Gerontology, Director of Research and Educational Affairs, Kahrizak Charity Foundation, Tehran, Iran

    Farshad Sharifi

  4. Dr Shareeati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    H. Fakhrzadeh

  5. Bachelor of Nutrition, Researcher, Kahrizak Charity Foundation, Tehran, Iran

    N. Nazari

  6. Bachelor of Nursing, Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Z. Badamchizade

  7. Endocrinology & Metabolism Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 5th floor, Dr Shareeati Hospital, North Karegar Avenue, Tehran, Iran

    Farshad Sharifi

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  1. M. Mirarefin
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Correspondence to Farshad Sharifi.

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Mirarefin, M., Sharifi, F., Fakhrzadeh, H. et al. Predicting the value of the mini nutritional assessment (MNA) as an indicator of functional ability in older Iranian adults (Kahrizak elderly study). J Nutr Health Aging 15, 175–180 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-011-0032-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12603-011-0032-6

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