Chia-Te Chen1, Heng-Hsin Tung2, Yen-Chin Chen3, Huan-Fang Lee4, Chung-Jen Wang5, Wei-Hung Lin6. 1. Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: a0911395524@gmail.com. 2. School of Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital, No. 155, Sec. 2, Linong Street, Taipei, 112, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: shannontung719@gmail.com. 3. Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: yenchin2427@gmail.com. 4. Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: n100316@mail.hosp.ncku.edu.tw. 5. Cheng-Hsin General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: ch1229@chgh.org.tw. 6. Department of Internal Medicine, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: dindonwhlin@hotmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between depressive symptoms and nutritional status in the frail older adults. METHODS: This study uses a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, and the Taiwan International Physical Activity Questionnaire Form Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form Charlson Comorbidity Index, and Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short-Form were used to measure depression and nutritional status, respectively. Data were analyzed by independent-t tests, chi-square tests, spearman correlations, and multiple linear regressions. RESULTS: Of the total of 94 frail older adults, 17 (18.09%) had depressive symptoms (GDS > 5). The average MNA-SF score was 11.38 (SD = 2.45), 31 (32.98%) participants had a risk of malnutrition and 12 (12.77%) were malnourished. Participants' reports of dissatisfaction with their lives (72.1%) and feeling terrible about their lives (58.14%) were associated with a risk of malnutrition. Elderly age, multiple comorbidities, and high level of depressive symptoms were at increased risk of malnutrition. CONCLUSION: When clinicians are faced with a high-risk group, such as elderly patients with multiple comorbidities and depressive symptoms, they should perform an immediate assessment of nutritional status. If a risk of malnutrition is found, adequate nutrition and health care should be provided.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between depressive symptoms and nutritional status in the frail older adults. METHODS: This study uses a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, and the Taiwan International Physical Activity Questionnaire Form Geriatric Depression Scale-Short Form Charlson Comorbidity Index, and Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short-Form were used to measure depression and nutritional status, respectively. Data were analyzed by independent-t tests, chi-square tests, spearman correlations, and multiple linear regressions. RESULTS: Of the total of 94 frail older adults, 17 (18.09%) had depressive symptoms (GDS > 5). The average MNA-SF score was 11.38 (SD = 2.45), 31 (32.98%) participants had a risk of malnutrition and 12 (12.77%) were malnourished. Participants' reports of dissatisfaction with their lives (72.1%) and feeling terrible about their lives (58.14%) were associated with a risk of malnutrition. Elderly age, multiple comorbidities, and high level of depressive symptoms were at increased risk of malnutrition. CONCLUSION: When clinicians are faced with a high-risk group, such as elderly patients with multiple comorbidities and depressive symptoms, they should perform an immediate assessment of nutritional status. If a risk of malnutrition is found, adequate nutrition and health care should be provided.