The Prevalence of Malnutrition in Elderly Hospitalized Patients Admitted at Alexandria Main University Hospital

Introduction: Malnutrition is a common concern among elderly patients susceptible due to diminished appetite, restricted mobility, chronic illnesses, and cognitive decline. In hospitalized older adults, malnutrition is widespread and is linked to frailty, reduced functional capacity, and higher risks of complications and death. The Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form (MNA-SF) is a reliable and practical tool for identifying malnutrition across diverse healthcare settings. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition among elderly inpatients at Alexandria Main University Hospital, Egypt, utilizing the Mini Nutritional Assessment–Short Form (MNA-SF), and to examine associations between malnutrition and a range of clinical and demographic factors.Materials and methods: 214 patients aged 65, were allocated using MNA-SF into three groups: malnourished, at risk of malnourishment, and normal nutritional status.Results: The study found that malnutrition in elderly patients was positively associated with increasing age, living with others, anti-ischemic drugs, hypertension, cerebrovascular strokes, and elevated white blood cell count. Conversely, lower serum albumin and potassium levels were negatively correlated with malnutrition. Among these factors, age, low serum albumin, and living status were identified as the most significant independent predictors of malnutrition.Conclusion: The MNA-SF is a reliable, cost-effective, and time-efficient tool for detecting malnutrition, which is highly prevalent among hospitalized elderly. This study identified age, living status, and comorbidities like hypertension and cerebrovascular strokes as significant factors associated with malnutrition. Early detection and targeted interventions are crucial, as unaddressed malnutrition can worsen complications, prolong recovery, and lead to poorer outcomes.