Relationship between MNA and SF-36 in a free-living elderly population aged 70 to 75.
Authors
Eriksson BG, Dey DK, Hessler RM, Steen G, Steen B
Publication Year
2005
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Within a larger study of social network and nutrition, we investigated measurements of nutritional status and health related quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To relate a well-established questionnaire of nutritional status (MNA) to a likewise well-established questionnaire of health related quality of life (SF-36) in community dwelling, free-living and, healthy 70-75 years old persons. DESIGN: Before an interview, the MNA and SF-36 questionnaires were filled in by 128 participants from a sample of 262 subjects. RESULTS: The MNA worked well as a measurement in this sample. Many MNA aspects correlated with the SF-36 scales. The correlations between MNA total score and the eight SF-36 scales varied from .27 to .62. DISCUSSION: This correlation was partly due to the fact that MNA has questions of health but also to the fact that there is an empirical relation between nutrition and health. Conclusion: The MNA measurement is applicable to a healthy, free-living elderly population and parts of the MNA can be interpreted as measurements of health related quality of life. Low values of SF-36 could also be used as predictors of risk of malnutrition, although further studies are required to confirm this result
Activities of Daily Living;Aged;Female;Geriatric Assessment;Health Status Indicators;Humans;Male;methods;Nutrition Assessment;Nutritional Status;Quality of Life;Questionnaires;Risk Assessment;Sweden;