Health management of malnourished elderly in primary health care: a scoping review

Objectives The aim of this study, as the first review directed at Primary Health Care, is to identify the screening practices and health outcomes related to the care provided by Family Health Teams to the malnourished elderly people/population. Methods Following PRISMA and PICO strategies, searches were conducted in four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus & EMBASE) on observational, qualitative, quantitative, or mixed studies, written in Portuguese, Spanish and English language, with participants of 65 years old or older at a community setting. The literature selected for this study ranges from the period 2011 to 2021; additional articles were included through reference lists. Results From the 483 studies identified, 16 were considered eligible to use in this work. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) score appears as the main criteria of choice, however, a standardized practice in the health systems regarding the use of screening methods has not been demonstrated. Studies are more oriented towards the analysis of the relationship of mortality/morbidity and malnutrition than towards the relationship of the cost and quality of life and malnutrition of the elderly. Discussion Malnutrition is one of the modifiable risk factors which contributes to the vulnerable condition of the elderly, with serious effects, especially when related to other comorbidities. Yet, several authors argue that the Primary Health Care intervention can minimize the negative impacts and improve the health outcomes.

Automated summary

This study aims to investigate the screening practices and health outcomes related to the care provided by Family Health Teams to the malnourished elderly. The main criteria for screening is the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) score, but standardized practices in health systems have not been demonstrated. Current research focuses more on the relationship between mortality/morbidity and malnutrition, rather than the cost and quality of life. Some authors argue that Primary Health Care intervention can mitigate the negative impacts of malnutrition and improve health outcomes.