Nutritional status, as determined by the Mini-Nutritional Assessment, and osteoporosis: A cross-sectional study of an elderly female population

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between osteoporosis and nutritional status as determined by the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Stockholm, Sweden. Subjects: A total of 351 elderly free-living women (mean age 73 ± 2.3 years). Methods: MNA (range 0-30 points; < 17 indicates malnutrition, 17.5-23.5 risk of malnutrition and ≥24 well nourished), measurements of bone mineral density of the left hip and lumbar spine using Hologic QDR 4500, and of the heel using Calscan DEXA-T. Results: The median MNA score was 27 (range 12.5-30). One woman was classified as malnourished and 7.4% were at risk of malnutrition. Osteoporosis of the femoral neck was observed in 22% and a fracture after the age of 50 was reported by 31% of the participants. The following items in the MNA questionnaire exhibited an increased risk of having osteoporosis in the femoral neck and/or total hip: an MNA score of < 27 (odds ratio (OR)=2.09; CI=1.14-3.83); a mid-arm circumference of less than 28cm (OR=2.97; CI=1.29-6.81); and regular use of more than 3 drugs each day (OR=2.12; CI=1.00-4.50). A body weight of more than 70 kg exhibited a decreased risk of having osteoporosis (OR=0.31; CI=0.14-0.70). Conclusions: In general, the nutritional status was good in this population of free-living elderly women. Nevertheless, half of the women who displayed an MNA score < 27 points had a two fold increased risk of having osteoporosis. © 2006 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved.