Objective: We aimed to assess malnutrition and those at risk of malnutrition in PD patients with an age matched control group using the mini nutritional assessment (MNA) and anthropometric measurements.

Background: While unintentional weight loss has been found common in Parkinson’s disease, it is not clear to what extent this population is malnourished or at risk of malnutrition.

Methods: Nutritional status was evaluated in 46 PD patients and 36 healthy controls using the validated Turkish version of the MNA. Individuals suffering from chronic comorbidities influencing nutritional state (hypertension and diabetes), following special diets and those with cognitive impairment were excluded. Using the MNA, a total score of <17 indicated malnutrition and scores of 17-23.5 signified cases at risk for malnutrition.

Results: The mean of total MNA score was not significantly different between PD and control groups (22.91 ± 3.40 and 23.02 ± 3.68, p=0.9, respectively). Two (4.3 %) PD patients were suffering from malnutrition and another 18 (39.1 %) were at risk of malnutrition; while in control group similar feature was observed (3.0% malnourished and 35.2% at risk of malnutrition; p=0.45).

Conclusions: In our study we found that there was not a significant difference in nutritional status among mild to moderate PD patients compared with healthy controls. However, 39.1 % of the PD population was found to be at risk of malnutrition necessitating more attention towards nutritional assessment in PD.

« Back to 2016 International Congress

MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/assessment-of-malnutrition-in-patients-with-parkinsons-disease/