The Relationship Between Nutrition State And The Incidence Of Acute Respiratory Tract Infections(ARIs) In Elder Patients

Background: Nutrition deficiency is prevailing among the world.The presence of nutrition deficiency will make the immune system weaker as well as increase the susceptibility to acute respiration tract infections(ARIs).To date,there is no sufficient evidence in exploring the relationship of nutrition state and the incidence of ARIs,especially among elder patients.Methods: A prospective cohort study enrolled patient older than 70 years was conducted in Tongji hospital for 3 months.Nutrition state was assessed by Mini Nutritional Assessment(MNA)and the traditional nutritional indicators were evaluated at baseline.The incidence of acute respiratory tract infections was recorded in 3 months after admission.Data were analyzed by using SPSS.Results: Of 350 consecutive individuals over 70 years(mean age 82±5.85,range from 71-98 years),including 107 females(30.6%)and 243 males(69.4%).Among all participants 26.3% were at malnutrition,30.0% were at risk of malnutrition,and43.7% were at normal nutrition assessed by MNA.145 incident cases were diagnosed of ARIs(43.8%)during 3 months.Significantly,participants with ARIs had lower weight(P<0.001),lower body mass index(P<0.001),lower albumin level(P<0.05)and lower MNA score(P<0.001).Poor nutrition state showed significant relationship with ARIs.Weight,BMI,ALB,MNA score were negatively correlated with the incidence of ARIs.Conclusions: Malnutrition is high prevalence among elderly patients and is associated with increased risk of ARIs.These findings suggest that patients with poor nutrition state are more likely to suffer ARIs.