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Review paper

Evaluation of biochemical markers effectiveness in elderly malnutrition assessment

By
Larisa Gavran ,
Larisa Gavran

Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zenica, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Jelena Pavlović Orcid logo ,
Jelena Pavlović
Contact Jelena Pavlović

Department of Nursing, School of Medicine, University of East Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Maja Račić ,
Maja Račić

Department of Primary Health Care and Public Health, School of Medicine, University of East Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Nedeljka Ivković ,
Nedeljka Ivković

Department of Oral Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of East Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ksenija Tušek Bunc
Ksenija Tušek Bunc

Department for Public Health School of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia

Abstract

Aim
To systematically review the scientific evidence of biomarker validity, reliability, specificity and sensitivity in identifying malnutrition in the elderly.
Methods
Peer-reviewed journals were searched using PUBMED and EBSCO from January 1998 to April 2018. The articles included description of the association between malnutrition blood biomarkers and validated nutritional status assessment instruments and studies were conducted among community-dwelling elderly or nursing home residents.
Results
The research strategy identified a total of 293 studies. This literature review picked out seven articles for follow-up evaluation. A total of sixteen blood biomarkers were identified. Six studies found a significant association between the nutritional assessment score and albumin level.
Conclusion
Combining serum concentrations of malnutrition biomarkers with nutritional status assessment tools has a great potential in identifying the risk of malnutrition in the elderly, while also increasing sensitivity and specificity.

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