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BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
Hospital-acquired infections can occur five times as frequently in rehabilitation patients than in other hospital admissions. We postulate that this high infection rate may be due to nutritional problems frequently experienced in these patients. In this study, we examine the role of nutrition in inpatient geriatric rehabilitation patients’ immune function and infection rates.
OBJECTIVE(S):
We are examining immunologic correlates of nutritional status in elderly veterans hospitalized for extended periods of inpatient rehabilitation. We will test the hypotheses that geriatric rehabilitation inpatients who receive standard clinical and dietary care: 1) experience deficiencies in nutrients important to immune function while they are hospitalized; and 2) those patients deficient in nutrients important for immune function experience higher infection rates.
Secondary objectives include: 1) identifying nutritional and physiological factors that might lead to immune function deficiencies and infection; and 2) developing a clinical assessment model of malnutrition that can be used to assess immune function in geriatric rehabilitation inpatients.
METHODS:
In this descriptive cohort study, to test Hypothesis 1, we will describe over time, in 100 non-acute elderly patients receiving longer-term inpatient rehabilitation care, trends in and relationships among: 1) caloric, protein, and immunologically-relevant micronutrient intake; 2) body composition, metabolism, and biochemical indices of nutritional status; 3) humoral and cell mediated immunity; and 4) infection. To test Hypothesis 2, we will examine differences in infection rates in adequately versus inadequately nourished patients. Second, we will examine the relationship of patients’ eating, their nutritional status, and their immune function over time.
FINDINGS/RESULTS:
We continue in the data collection phase of our study. To date, we have enrolled 90 participants into the study.
IMPACT:
Of medical complications severe enough to interrupt rehabilitation care, infections are purported to be the most common reasons for transfer out of rehabilitation services. Nutrition may play an important role in preventing/treating infections in geriatric rehabilitation patients. What we learn in this study may help us find out how to improve nutritional deficits in geriatric rehabilitation patients. This may lead to early case finding and primary/secondary prevention measures to decrease infection rates in geriatric rehabilitation patients.
PUBLICATIONS:
None at this time.
DRA:
Aging and Age-Related Changes, Special (Underserved, High Risk) Populations
DRE:
Epidemiology, Etiology, Prevention, Rehabilitation
Keywords:
Frail elderly, Long-term care, Risk factors
MeSH Terms:
none
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