Influence of nutritional status on health-related quality of life of non-institutionalized older people

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a multidimensional health measurement and a key to optimal aging. The aim of this study was to examine the association of nutritional status with HRQoL in the elderly. Cross-sectional study. Villanueva Older Health Study, a community-based study in Villanueva de la Caada (Madrid, Spain). 83 (53 women) non-institutionalized inhabitants aged 80 years and above. HRQoL was assessed by EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D) questionnaire, nutritional risk by Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire and dietary intake by 24-hour dietary recall. Statistical significance was evaluated at 95% confidence level (P < 0.05). EQ-5D pointed out differences between men and women (0.782 +/- 0.235 and 0.633 +/- 0.247; p=0.02). Problems in mobility (total sample) and pain/discomfort (women) dimensions were most frequently reported. MNA (26.5 +/- 3.2 men and 24.3 +/- 3.2 women; p=0.03) revealed malnutrition in 3.3% of men and 1.9% of women, and risk of malnutrition in 6.7% and 37.7%, respectively. Total sample was at risk of folic acid, zinc, magnesium, vitamin D and vitamin E deficiency. EQ-5D was associated with MNA (p < 0.001). EQ-5Dindex was associated with energy intake (p=0.04) and EQ-5Dvas was negatively correlated with body mass index (p=0.02). EQ-5D pain/discomfort dimension was associated with energy (p=0.006), protein (p=0.005), lipid (p=0.03), magnesium (p=0.032), phosphorus (p=0.012), selenium (p=0.043) and niacin (p=0.004) intake. Women showed poorer HRQoL and higher malnutrition risk. A relationship between HRQoL and risk of malnutrition was observed. Results suggest that when energy and protein, lipid, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium and niacin intake increase, HRQoL is promoted, although the increase does not seem to have a strong direct effect on it. The limited influence of energy and nutrient intake on HRQoL observed requires further research.