Cited by 849Nutrition and Health in AgingClinical Nutrition and GastroenterologyNutrition and Health Studies

Protein and energy supplementation in elderly people at risk from malnutrition

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Milne, Anne C, Potter, Jan, Vivanti, Angela, Avenell, Alison·2009·Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Evidence for the effectiveness of nutritional supplements containing protein and energy, often prescribed for older people, is limited. Malnutrition is more common in this age group and deterioration of nutritional status can occur during illness. It is important to establish whether supplementing the diet is an effective way of improving outcomes for older people at risk from malnutrition. OBJECTIVES: This review examined trials for improvement in nutritional status and clinical outcomes when extra protein and energy were provided, usually as commercial 'sip-feeds'. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Healthstar, CINAHL, BIOSIS, CAB abstracts. We also hand searched nutrition journals and reference lists and contacted 'sip-feed' manufacturers. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised and quasi-randomised controlled trials of oral protein and energy supplementation in older people, with the exception of groups recovering from cancer treatment or in critical care. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently assessed trials prior to inclusion and independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. Authors of trials were contacted for further information as necessary. MAIN RESULTS: Sixty-two trials with 10,187 randomised participants have been included in the review. Maximum duration of intervention was 18 months. Most included trials had poor study quality. The pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) for percentage weight change showed a benefit of supplementation of 2.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8 to 2.5) from 42 trials. There was no significant reduction in mortality in the supplemented compared with control groups (relative risk (RR) 0.92, CI 0.81 to 1.04) from 42 trials. Mortality results were statistically significant when limited to trials in which participants (N = 2461) were defined as undernourished (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.97).The risk of complications was reduced in 24 trials (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.99). Few trials were able to suggest any functional benefit from supplementation. The WMD for length of stay from 12 trials also showed no statistically significant effect (-0.8 days, 95% CI -2.8 to 1.3). Adverse effects included nausea or diarrhoea. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation produces a small but consistent weight gain in older people. Mortality may be reduced in older people who are undernourished. There may also be a beneficial effect on complications which needs to be confirmed. However, this updated review found no evidence of improvement in functional benefit or reduction in length of hospital stay with supplements. Additional data from large-scale multi-centre trials are still required.

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Crossref · 10.1002/14651858.cd003288.pub3

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Authors
Milne, A. C., Potter, J., Vivanti, A., & Avenell, A.
Affiliations
  • Stonelea, Prospect Terrace, Port Elphinstone, Inverurie Aberdeen Aberdeenshire, Scotland UK AB51 3UN
  • South East Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service; Aged Care Southern Hospital Network; LMB 8808 South Coast Mail Centre Wollongong New South Wales Australia 2521
  • Princess Alexandra Hospital (AU)
  • University of Aberdeen (GB)
Venue
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2009-04-15
Issue
2
Pages
CD003288-CD003288
ISSN
  • 1361-6137 (ISSN-L)
  • 1465-1858
OpenAlex
W1578200161
Cited by
849
References
242
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 20 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 41 · 2021: 44 · 2020: 34 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 56 · 2017: 58 · 2016: 63 · 2015: 64 · 2014: 64 · 2013: 63 · 2012: 52
FWCI
6.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Nutrition and Health Studies
Keywords
protein supplementation, energy supplementation, malnutrition, older adults, nutritional status, weight gain, mortality, complications, length of hospital stay, adverse effects, nausea, diarrhea, functional outcome, clinical outcomes, heterogeneity of results, publication bias, risk of bias assessment, conflicts of interest
MeSH terms
Aged, Energy Intake, Dietary Proteins, Humans, Length of Stay, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic, Dietary Supplements, Malnutrition

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