2015 Volume 26 Issue 1 Pages 21-31
The purpose of this study of the institutionalized elderly was to examine two relationships using the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI); one between the zinc nutritional status and the Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and the other between the protein nutritional status and ADL. The estimations of the hematological constituents, body index, and dietary survey were made based on the two examinations carried out on a group of 21 elderly patients (3 male, 18 female, mean age 83 ± 7 years; survey 1) and another group of 26 elderly patients (6 male, 26 female, mean age 90 ± 6years : survey 2).
The results from this study are summarized as follows :
1) Compared to the no risk and low risk, the moderate risk and major risk groups of GNRI showed significantly lower levels of body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR), serum Alb, TP, and zinc values.
2) Compared to the no risk and low risk, the moderate risk and major risk groups of GNRI showed significantly higher levels of the level of care, the grade of bedriddenness, and grade of cognitive function.
3) Significant positive correlations were found between the GNRI value and 8 other values; body weight, BMI, BMR, serum Alb, TP, A/G ratio, iron, and zinc. On the other hand, significant inverse correlations were found between the GNRI value and 3 other values; the level of care, the grade of bedriddenness, and grade of cognitive function.
4) The values calculated from the regression equation indicated that the low risk of GNRI exceeded the reference value of the BMI, serum TP, Alb, A/G ratio and zinc values.
These results indicate that the GNRI is a reliable tool for the evaluation of the zinc nutritional status. In addition, the GNRI is also reliable for the evaluation of seven factors which are subject to change according to the zinc nutritional status; the level of care, the grade of bedriddenness, the grade of cognitive function, BMI, serum TP, Alb values, and A/G ratio.
