Nutrition Score Predicts Mortality in OAs With Acute Coronary Syndrome

Nutritional status helped predict all-cause mortality in older adults hospitalized for acute coronary syndrome, according to a study published online in Clinical Nutrition. 

Researchers gauged nutritional status in 908 older adults using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF). The assessment identifies whether a person has malnutrition, is at risk of malnutrition, or has normal nutritional status. Participants were also assigned Global Risk of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk scores as well as Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) scores. 

Overall, 4% of older adults in the study qualified as malnourished, and 40% were at risk of malnutrition. Over a median follow-up of 288 days, 10.5% of all patients died. 

In older adults who were malnourished, the all-cause mortality rate was 31%, researchers reported. The all-cause mortality rate in older adults at risk of malnutrition was 19%. In patients with normal nutrition status, the mortality rate was 3%. 

Scores on the MNA-SF emerged as an independent predictor of death, researchers observed. The MNA-SF score also improved the ability of the GRACE score to identify patients at risk of death. 

“The MNA-SF helped to identify malnutrition in older acute coronary syndrome patients,” researchers concluded. “Moreover, the MNA-SF value is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality, and it improves the predictive value of the GRACE risk score.”

—Jolynn Tumolo

Reference

Tonet E, Campo G, Maietti E, et al. Nutritional status and all-cause mortality in older adults with acute coronary syndrome [published online July 9, 2019]. Clin Nutr. 2019 Jul 9. pii: S0261-5614(19)30281-X. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2019.06.025