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Cited by 17Nutrition and Health in AgingClinical Nutrition and GastroenterologyGeriatric Care and Nursing Homes

Is It Possible To Increase Weight and Maintain the Protein Status of Debilitated Elderly Residents of Nursing Homes?

Levinson, Y., Dwolatzky, T., Epstein, A., Adler, B., Epstein, L.·2005·The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
DOI 10.1093/gerona/60.7.878
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: The care of elderly persons in chronic care nursing wards is generally complicated by nutritional problems such as weight loss and worsening protein status. An inability or refusal of the patient to consume enough food often necessitates the use of expensive commercial formulas for nutritional support. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the use of an in-house (high-protein, milk-based) low-cost formula with added minerals and vitamins for total nutritional support would be effective in maintaining weight and protein status of patients in the long term. METHODS: Participants were recruited from five nursing care units of a single geriatric facility. All residents who required formula feeding were followed prospectively. The formula was provided either as a pudding or a milkshake for oral feeding or as a liquid for tube feeding and served as the sole source of nutrition. Data were collected regarding the participants' weight (monthly), serum albumin level (periodically), and the manner of formula administration (oral, nasogastric, or gastrostomy tube). RESULTS: One hundred forty-three participants who received this formula were followed for a maximum period of 6 years. Mean weight increased by 5 kg during the first year and remained stable thereafter. Those participants who died within 6 months had no increase in weight. The long-term mean serum albumin level of all participants was an acceptable 4 g/dL. CONCLUSION: The long-term use of an inexpensive in-house formula for total nutritional support increased weight and maintained serum albumin levels in most of the chronically ill elderly nursing care patients who participated in the study.

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  • Several studies demonstrate some improvement of nutritional state after initiation of enteral nutrition in older patients.

    “Several studies demonstrate some improvement of nutritional state after initiation of EN in older patients (129,130,(138)(139)(140)(141)(142)(143).”

    From ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical nutrition and hydration in geriatrics (2022) · cites this paper as [140]

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Authors
Levinson, Y., Dwolatzky, T., Epstein, A., Adler, B., & Epstein, L.
Affiliations
  • Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (IL)
  • Rambam Health Care Campus (IL)
  • Hebrew University of Jerusalem (IL)
Corresponding author
Levinson, Y.
ORCID
Dwolatzky, T.
Venue
The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2005-07-01
Volume
60
Issue
7
Pages
878-881
ISSN
  • 1079-5006 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-535X
DOI
10.1093/gerona/60.7.878
OpenAlex
W2172188941
Cited by
17
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
FWCI
0.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journals of Gerontology Series A (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Hadassah Medical Organization
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Nutrition and Health in Aging
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes
Keywords
nursing home residents, weight gain, protein status, serum albumin, tube feeding, oral feeding, long-term nutritional support
MeSH terms
Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Body Weight, Energy Intake, Dietary Proteins, Enteral Nutrition, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Homes for the Aged, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Nursing Homes, Nutritional Status, Prognosis, Prospective Studies, Serum Albumin, Weight Gain, Treatment Outcome

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