While the prevalence of malnutrition in the free-living elderly population is relatively low, the risk of malnutrition increases dramatically in the institutionalized and hospitalized elderly. 1 The prevalence of malnutrition is even higher in cognitively impaired elderly individuals and is associated with cognitive decline. 2 Patients who are malnourished when admitted to the hospital tend to have longer hospital stays, experience more complications, and have greater risks of morbidity and mortality than those whose nutritional state is normal. 3 By identifying elderly persons who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition either in the hospital or community setting, the MNA® allows clinicians to.
