Elsevier

Clinical Nutrition

Volume 38, Issue 1, February 2019, Pages 10-47
Clinical Nutrition

ESPEN Guideline
ESPEN guideline on clinical nutrition and hydration in geriatrics

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2018.05.024Get rights and content

Summary

Background

Malnutrition and dehydration are widespread in older people, and obesity is an increasing problem. In clinical practice, it is often unclear which strategies are suitable and effective in counteracting these key health threats.

Aim

To provide evidence-based recommendations for clinical nutrition and hydration in older persons in order to prevent and/or treat malnutrition and dehydration. Further, to address whether weight-reducing interventions are appropriate for overweight or obese older persons.

Methods

This guideline was developed according to the standard operating procedure for ESPEN guidelines and consensus papers. A systematic literature search for systematic reviews and primary studies was performed based on 33 clinical questions in PICO format. Existing evidence was graded according to the SIGN grading system. Recommendations were developed and agreed in a multistage consensus process.

Results

We provide eighty-two evidence-based recommendations for nutritional care in older persons, covering four main topics: Basic questions and general principles, recommendations for older persons with malnutrition or at risk of malnutrition, recommendations for older patients with specific diseases, and recommendations to prevent, identify and treat dehydration. Overall, we recommend that all older persons shall routinely be screened for malnutrition in order to identify an existing risk early. Oral nutrition can be supported by nursing interventions, education, nutritional counseling, food modification and oral nutritional supplements. Enteral nutrition should be initiated if oral, and parenteral if enteral nutrition is insufficient or impossible and the general prognosis is altogether favorable. Dietary restrictions should generally be avoided, and weight-reducing diets shall only be considered in obese older persons with weight-related health problems and combined with physical exercise. All older persons should be considered to be at risk of low-intake dehydration and encouraged to consume adequate amounts of drinks. Generally, interventions shall be individualized, comprehensive and part of a multimodal and multidisciplinary team approach.

Conclusion

A range of effective interventions is available to support adequate nutrition and hydration in older persons in order to maintain or improve nutritional status and improve clinical course and quality of life. These interventions should be implemented in clinical practice and routinely used.

Keywords

Guideline
Recommendations
Geriatrics
Nutritional care
Malnutrition
Dehydration

Abbreviations

ADL
activities of daily living
BM
biomedical endpoint
EN
enteral nutrition
GPP
good practice point
MoW
meals on wheels
ONS
oral nutritional supplements
PC
patient-centered endpoint
PICO
population of interest, interventions, comparisons, outcomes
PN
parenteral nutrition
RCT
randomized controlled trial
SLR
systematic literature review

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