Two-year study on elderly nutrition launched
Under-nutrition affects up to 35 per cent of elderly living at home who are admitted to hospital, and can have a “ripple effect” on the healthcare system. TODAY File Photo
SINGAPORE — A two-year study launched on Thursday (Aug 31) aims to establish nutritional standards among the elderly here and plug gaps in knowledge on an Asian population.
Under-nutrition affects up to 35 per cent of elderly living at home who are admitted to hospital, and can have a “ripple effect” on the healthcare system, said Adjunct Assistant Professor Samuel Chew, senior consultant at Changi General Hospital’s (CGH) department of geriatric medicine.
Different individuals may lack different nutrients such as Vitamin C and D, calcium, magnesium, zinc and proteins, said Dr Tan Ngiap Chuan, director of SingHealth Polyclinics’ research department.
Under-nourishment may cause them to be more prone to muscle loss and complications like infections, and have longer hospital stays and higher chances of re-admission, said Adj Asst Prof Chew. One in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above by 2030, double the proportion today.
The study will involve 1,200 residents here aged 65 and above. Half of them will be recruited by SingHealth’s polyclinics in Marine Parade, Tampines and Bedok, while the rest will be patients discharged from CGH. Recruitment begins in September and will take place over nine months.
The study will be conducted by the new Nutritional Health for the Elderly Reference Centre, a partnership between CGH and healthcare company Abbott.
Of the 1,200 participants, 800 identified to be at risk of under-nutrition will take part in the second stage of the study, which will examine the effects of taking an oral nutritional supplement. Half of them will be part of the control group, while the other half will be given the supplement provided by Abbott, which declined to elaborate on its contents.
Some participants will undergo tests to measure the amount of minerals in their blood and perform exercises to measure strength.
Researchers will also follow up with participants via phone calls and provide dietary counselling.
On under-nutrition in the elderly, Dr Low Yen Ling, director of research and development at the Abbott Nutrition Asia Pacific Centre, said they may have decreased appetite due to reasons like dental problems, not being able to taste as well as before, impaired vision and social isolation.
Some elderly persons may think it is healthier to cut their food intake and have “bland diets” of porridge and steer clear of meat and eggs, she said.
Some may also consider chicken essence or bird’s nest to be supplements, which may not be the case, nutrition-wise.
The researchers want to create a database on the elderly in Singapore for reference, to guide clinicians and scientists on their nutritional standards. This could provide more accurate diagnosis, screening and monitoring of outcomes for treatment or intervention, said Adj Asst Prof Chew.
Past studies have covered Western diets, but Asian populations have different body composition, dietary habits, lifestyles and level of activity, said Dr Low.
Asked about the involvement of Abbott in the study, Adj Asst Prof Chew said findings “would not be tantamount to endorsement of Abbott’s products at CGH”.
He said: “The study would determine if… oral nutritional supplements, as a whole, are recognised as evidence-based treatment in under-nutrition.”
