Bell, C, Lee, A. Tamura, B. Malnutrition in the nursing home. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care. 2015, 18(1): 17-23. doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000130.
Description of subjects in the study
The review investigates the existing literature devoted to the topic and offers multiple implications for practice to improve the current situation.
Results
The authors conclude that 20% of nursing home residents might experience malnutrition; however, there is no clear definition of the term, which introduces additional complexity.
Limitations
The researchers were limited by available secondary data collected from recent reports, while the access to patients was complicated.
Pertinent discussions/Summary
The paper proves the topicality of malnutrition in nursing houses and the need for addressing the issue. However, the authors assume that a more comprehensive definition is needed to offer prevention strategies.
Huppetz, V, van Helvoort, A, Groot, LCP, Baijens, LW, Schols, JMG. Association between oropharyngeal dysphagia and malnutrition in Dutch nursing home residents: results of the National Prevalence Measurement of Quality of Care. The Journal of Nutrition, Health, & Aging. 2018, 22(10): 1246-1252. doi:10.1007/s12603-018-1103-8
Description of subjects in the study
The paper investigates the correlation between the development of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) and malnutrition among residents of nursing houses to determine if the intervention is needed.
Results
The study concludes that malnutrition is linked to other critical problems such as OD. The existence of these factors can deteriorate the health of clients.
Limitations
The research is limited by the number of participants selected for the investigations.
Pertinent discussions/Summary
The paper shows a direct correlation between OD and malnutrition. It means that the discussed state can emerge in various nursing houses because of diverse reasons, including the previously acquired diseases.
Schulze J, Mazzola R, Hoffmann F. Incidence of tube feeding in 7174 newly admitted nursing home residents with and without dementia. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias. 2016:27-33. doi:10.1177/1533317515588180
Description of subjects in the study
The paper is focused on estimating the incidence of feeding tube placement to avoid malnutrition in nursing home residents with and without dementia.
Results
The authors conclude that the overall clinical condition of a patient might serve as the cause for malnutrition and the need for tube feeding.
Limitations
The major limitation of the study is the inclusion of patients with specific health conditions needed to acquire the demanded data.
Pertinent discussions/Summary
The investigators conclude that malnutrition can become the reason for using feeding tubes. However, the causes of its emergence differ, and the overall clinical condition of the patient is one of the major factors that should be considered.