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Nutritional status, as determined by the Mini-Nutritional Assessment, and osteoporosis: a cross-sectional study of an elderly female population

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 60, pages 486–493 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective:

To investigate the relationship between osteoporosis and nutritional status as determined by the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA).

Design:

A cross-sectional study.

Setting:

Stockholm, Sweden.

Subjects:

A total of 351 elderly free-living women (mean age 73±2.3 years).

Methods:

MNA (range 0–30 points; <17 indicates malnutrition, 17.5–23.5 risk of malnutrition and ⩾24 well nourished), measurements of bone mineral density of the left hip and lumbar spine using Hologic QDR 4500, and of the heel using Calscan DEXA-T.

Results:

The median MNA score was 27 (range 12.5–30). One woman was classified as malnourished and 7.4% were at risk of malnutrition. Osteoporosis of the femoral neck was observed in 22% and a fracture after the age of 50 was reported by 31% of the participants. The following items in the MNA questionnaire exhibited an increased risk of having osteoporosis in the femoral neck and/or total hip: an MNA score of <27 (odds ratio (OR)=2.09; CI=1.14–3.83); a mid-arm circumference of less than 28 cm (OR=2.97; CI=1.29–6.81); and regular use of more than 3 drugs each day (OR=2.12; CI=1.00–4.50). A body weight of more than 70 kg exhibited a decreased risk of having osteoporosis (OR=0.31; CI=0.14–0.70).

Conclusions:

In general, the nutritional status was good in this population of free-living elderly women. Nevertheless, half of the women who displayed an MNA score <27 points had a twofold increased risk of having osteoporosis.

Sponsorship:

Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm County Council.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported financially by grants from the Stockholm County Council and Karolinska Institutet.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Family Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    H Salminen, S-E Johansson & L-E Strender

  2. Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    M Sääf

  3. Department of Surgical Sciences, Section for Diagnostic Radiology Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

    H Ringertz

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  1. H Salminen
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  2. M Sääf
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  3. S-E Johansson
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  4. H Ringertz
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  5. L-E Strender
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Correspondence to H Salminen.

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Salminen, H., Sääf, M., Johansson, SE. et al. Nutritional status, as determined by the Mini-Nutritional Assessment, and osteoporosis: a cross-sectional study of an elderly female population. Eur J Clin Nutr 60, 486–493 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602341

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