Undernutrition in elderly patients is a major public health concern. Infections could be related to malnutrition, and may have a detrimental effect on health. The recognition and treatment of undernutrition may prevent infections in elderly. This systematic review explored a link between undernourished elderly and the risk of acquiring infections in a healthcare setting. It also explored the effectiveness of nutritional interventions in this group to prevent healthcare associated infections (HCAIs).
A search was performed according to Joanna Briggs Institute systematic review guidelines( Reference Pearson 1 ) was performed. Comprehensive search of key words was used to explore the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and Cochrane Library. The search was limited to articles published in English and after 1990. The inclusion criteria were people ≥60 and undernourished. The outcome was limited to HCAIs only.
The search has generated 253 papers, of which 9 were identified as meeting inclusion criteria (3 interventions( Reference Rypkema 2 – Reference Aquilani4 ) and 6 descriptive studies( Reference Batsis 5 – Reference Kuikka10 )) and were included in final analysis.
Setting: hospital except Kuikka et al. (nursing home) and Aquillani et al. (Rehabilitation Centre), LOS=Mean Length Of Stay, n/a=data not available, p value for all studies either unavailable or not significant.
The data presented in the studies does not show a direct link between nutrition and HCAIs. The studies however were not designed to evaluate nutrition as a factor influencing development of HCAIs. Duration, number of people and parameters reported were not consistent in these studies, resulting in a poor quality of the data.