The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of malnutrition risk and sarcopenia in our elderly (≥65 years) nursing home residents and find out their association with mortality.

This prospective observational study with a follow-up of 12 months was done in 402 subjects (65 years old or older) living in a nursing home. Nutritional status was determined with Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP) with the measurements of muscle mass, muscle strength and physical performance using mid upper arm muscle circumference (MUAC, cm), calf circumference (CC), a standardized handheld dynamometer and gait speed. Nutritional status and sarcopenia were compared with the 1-year mortality rate.

According to MNA, 56.5% of the individuals were normal, 24.8% had malnutrition risk (MR) and 18.7% had malnutrition (MN). Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 73.3% of the residents. Reduced muscle strength was found in 94.5% of the population. MN/MR were found associated with sarcopenia (P<0.0001). After 12 months of follow-up, total mortality rate was 16.2%. MN, sarcopenia, BMI and MUAC were found well correlated with mortality (normal nutrition status: 10.6%, MR: 20.0% and MN: 28.0%, P<0.001; sarcopenic: 19.3% and non-sarcopenic: 7.5%, P=0.012). Malnutrition and sarcopenia were found related with mortality independent from other factors.

Malnutrition and sarcopenia are prevalent in nursing home residents. It is important to diagnose and treat malnutrition and sarcopenia in elderly nursing home residents for both can increase mortality independently.