Define Under nourished persons - nutritional intervention using MNA?
An MNA score below 17 indicates that the patient is suffering from under nutrition. Thus in this situation the diagnosis must be confirmed by laboratory tests, besides improving the nutrient intake and frequent monitoring will be necessary. In community-dwelling elderly persons, the MNA detects risk of malnutrition and life- style characteristics associated with nutritional risk while albumin levels and the BMI are still in the normal range. Also, MNA is associated with diminished cognitive function, diminished ability to care for one's self, and with reduced functional capacities. In outpatients and in hospitalized patients, the MNA is predictive of outcome and cost of care. Nutritional status assessed on admission by the MNA reflects the patient's nutritional condition, degree of autonomy, and current treatment. In home care patients and nursing home residents, the MNA is related to living conditions, meal patterns, and chronic medical conditions und allows targeted intervention.
The MNA was designed to provide the health care professionals with a quick, macroscopic view of a number of important areas that affect the nutritional well- being of an elderly patient. As such, it is not useful in assessing whether a patient has a specific vitamin or mineral deficiency, especially in the case of Vitamin Dl folate, vitamin B12, iron and zinc. Another weakness of the MNA is that a number of questions target independent-living elders but not elders in long-term care or elders receiving nutrition support.