Relationship Between Weight Loss and Problems With Oral Intake in Institutionalised Older Adults: A Japanese Multi-Institutional 1-Year Follow-Up Study.

AIM: To examine the relationship between weight loss and problems with oral intake in institutionalised older adults.

DESIGN

A 1-year longitudinal observational study.

METHODS

Data were obtained from a prospective study conducted in three nursing homes and two long-term care facilities in Japan. Participants' problems with oral intake were assessed using items published in 2021 by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Baseline and follow-up factors were compared between individuals who experienced a weight loss of 5% or more and those who did not. Separate multivariable logistic regression models were constructed for each oral intake assessment item to examine its independent association with weight loss of 5% or more, accounting for transitions in each item between baseline and the 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

In total, 172 institutionalised older adults were included in the analysis. Among them, 57 (33.1%) participants experienced a weight decrease of 5% or more. The emergence of somnolence or clouding of consciousness during meals at the 1-year follow-up in participants without these signs at baseline was independently associated with a weight loss of 5% or more, after adjustment for baseline characteristics.

CONCLUSION

Recognising signs of somnolence or clouding of consciousness during meals may be useful for the early detection and prevention of weight loss in institutionalised older adults.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Early detection of individuals at risk is essential to prevent significant weight loss and its associated adverse outcomes. Recognising somnolence or clouding of consciousness during meals may enable earlier detection and intervention to prevent weight loss and improve the quality of care for older adults.

REPORTING METHOD: Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.