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The relationship between nutritional status and physical activity, ulcer history and ulcer-related problems in patients with leg and foot ulcers
Linköping University, Department of Medicine and Care, Nursing Science. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
Linköping University, Department of Medicine and Care, Nursing Science. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
1999 (English)In: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, ISSN 0283-9318, E-ISSN 1471-6712, Vol. 13, no 2, p. 123-128Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

The nutritional status in patients with leg and foot ulcers is assessed in relation to sociodemographic data, mobility, physical activity, ulcer history, and ulcer-related problems from the patients' point of view. The patients (20 men and 50 women, mean age 79 years) were living in their own homes and treatment was given in primary health care. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used to assess nutritional status. Interviews were conducted to collect data on patients' mobility, physical activity, ulcer history and ulcer-related problems. According to the MNA, 32 patients were classified as being at risk of malnutrition and two were malnourished. Patients classified as at risk of malnutrition or malnourishment were usually living alone and were more dependent on aids for mobility and on home-help services than the well-nourished patients (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the well-nourished patients and those classified as at risk of malnutrition or malnourished in the number and the duration of open ulcers. This study shows that risk of malnutrition was common in this elderly population of 70 patients with leg and foot ulcers. Comprehensive patient care should include nutritional assessment and preventive actions to restore the nutritional status before malnutrition is manifest.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
1999. Vol. 13, no 2, p. 123-128
Keywords [en]
Elderly, Leg ulcer, nutritional status, Primary health care
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-79948OAI: oai:DiVA.org:liu-79948DiVA, id: diva2:544798
Available from: 2012-08-16 Created: 2012-08-16 Last updated: 2017-12-07Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. Nutrition, Health and Life-Situation in Elderly Patients with Leg Ulcers
Open this publication in new window or tab >>Nutrition, Health and Life-Situation in Elderly Patients with Leg Ulcers
2000 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

The aim of the present work was to describe nutrition, health and life-situation over time in elderly patients with leg ulcers and to evaluate if dietary intervention could improve healing in otherwise therapy resistant venous leg ulcers. All patients, mean age 80 years (range 66-97 years), were living at home and receiving treatment for their leg u1cers within the primary health care system.

A summary of the main measurements follows. Food diaries and diet histories were performed to collect data conceming dietary intakes. Dietary intakes were assessed by making calculations of energy and nutrients. To evaluate dietary quality, a qualitative meal classification method was used. Mini Nutritional Assessment was used to assess nutritional status. In the intervention study, the patients were offered dietary supplements containing energy, vitamins and minerals to be taken daily between ordinary meals in a specially designed diet plan based on individual needs and the patient's own preferences; The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Multilevel Assessment Instrument was used to investigate the life-situation.

The intakes of energy and nutrients were not optimal in relation to the Swedish Nutrition Recommendations. Nearly half of 70 patients were assessed as being in the risk zone of malnutrition and two were assessed as being malnourished. Patients in the risk zone of malnutrition were usually living alone, more dependent on aids for mobility and on home help services. They usually did not buy their food themselves and seldom ate in company. Incomplete Meals and Low Quality Snacks were the most common eating types. Compared to people of the same age without leg ulcers the patients with leg ulcers had a worse lifesituation with respect to behavioural competence, personal adjustment and environmenta1 quality. Pain was a common problem. Thirty-eight of 70 patients could be folIowed from 1996 to 2000. In 2000, nineteen patients had healed ulcers. Two patients had required amputation and had no ulceration after surgery and seventeen patients had open ulcers. The patients with healed ulcers had better nutritional status and a better life-situation with respect to social interaction than patients with open ulcers. The patients with healed ulcers had improved perceived environmental quality over time. Before the intervention, six patients presented with 10 ulcerated legs. After nine months two patients, one with two ulcerated legs and another with one u1cerated leg had healed u1cers. In one patient with two ulcerated legs, one leg was healed and one was almost healed. In another patient with one ulcerated leg, the ulcer area was reduced by approximately 90%.

Risk for malnutrition was common, probably due to poor intake. The life-situation was worse when compared to elderly of the same age. Patients whose ulcers had healed in the mean time had a better nutritional status and social interaction than patients with open ulcers. Nutritional assessment and preventive actions to meet the nutritional needs of elderly patients with leg ulcers are important. Health promotive and preventive strategies ought to be developed and initiated since reduced everyday activity may be threatening to ulcer healing, nutrition and health.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Linköping: Linköpings universitet, 2000. p. 57
Series
Linköping University Medical Dissertations, ISSN 0345-0082 ; 654
National Category
Medical and Health Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-27557 (URN)12219 (Local ID)91-7219-755-2 (ISBN)12219 (Archive number)12219 (OAI)
Public defence
2000-12-08, Berzeliussalen, Hälsouniversitetet, Campus US, Linköpings universitet, Linköping, 00:00 (Swedish)
Opponent
Available from: 2009-10-08 Created: 2009-10-08 Last updated: 2012-08-16Bibliographically approved

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