Role of visceral proteins in detecting malnutrition in the elderly

摘要: In the clinical practice, visceral proteins are used as indirect markers of protein energy malnutrition (PEM), but their reliability could be reduced with advancing age. The aim this work is to investigate albumin, prealbumin, retinol-binding (RBP) and transferrin in evaluating nutritional status old patients relationship fat-free mass (FFM). Cross-sectional study. Padua, Italy. 44 underweight (body index<20 kg/m2) (66–97 years) 69 normal weight or overweight elderly subjects (62–98 years), RBP were determined plasma. Body composition particularly FFM was obtained by dual X-ray absorptiometry. also expressed index (FFMI) calculated divided height squared. Subjects affected acute illnesses inflammatory states excluded. Albumin, prealbumin mean values significantly lower subjects. No differences between two groups found for transferrin. Albumin resulted under range 55, 25 54% subjects, respectively. Transferrin's low about 40% all FFMI shows a significant correlation albumin (r: 0.52), 0.64) 0.57). found. Visceral proteins, except transferrin, seem useful indexes detecting elderly; still should carefully evaluated because they suggest poor status.