Original Article
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2006) 60, 486–493. doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602341; published online 14 December 2005
Nutritional status, as determined by the Mini-Nutritional Assessment, and osteoporosis: a cross-sectional study of an elderly female population
H Salminen1, M Sääf2, S-E Johansson1, H Ringertz3 and L-E Strender1
- 1Centre for Family Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- 2Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- 3Department of Surgical Sciences, Section for Diagnostic Radiology Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Correspondence: Dr H Salminen, Department of Neurotec, Centre for Family Medicine, Karolinska Institulet, Alfred Nobels allé 12, Huddinge, Stockholm S-14183, Sweden. E-mail: helena.salminen@klinvet.ki.se
Received 11 April 2005; Revised 31 August 2005; Accepted 21 September 2005; Published online 14 December 2005.
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.
Keywords:
osteoporosis, nutritional status, Mini-Nutritional Assessment, elderly women
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