Multidimensional Assessment of Nutritional Status Among Hospitalized Older Adults With Pneumonia at a Tertiary Hospital in Ghana: A Descriptive Cross‐Sectional Study
Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction Malnutrition is a common but often overlooked problem among hospitalised older adults, particularly those admitted with acute infections such as pneumonia. Pneumonia can worsen nutritional status through inflammation, fever, poor appetite, breathlessness, fatigue, and reduced food intake, while malnutrition can, in turn, weaken immunity, reduce respiratory muscle strength, and delay recovery. This study assessed the spectrum of nutritional status among hospitalised older adults with pneumonia at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana. Methods A descriptive cross‐sectional study was conducted among 74 hospitalised adults aged 60 years and above with a confirmed diagnosis of pneumonia. Data were collected on socio‐demographic and health‐related characteristics, dietary intake, anthropometry, and haemoglobin status. Nutritional status was assessed using Body Mass Index (BMI), the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC), calf circumference, dietary diversity score, and haemoglobin concentration. Associations between nutritional indicators were examined using chi‐square and Monte Carlo exact tests, and multivariable prevalence‐ratio regression was used to identify factors independently associated with MNA‐defined malnutrition and BMI‐defined underweight. Results Participants had a mean age of 72.3 ± 8.6 years, with 38 males and 36 females. Based on BMI, 66.2% were underweight, 31.1% had a healthy weight, and 2.7% were…
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