Table 1 Nutritional screening variables of the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), among recently hospitalized elderly patients (N = 240).

n

%

n

%

N

%

Reduced food intake in the last 3 moths

Severe

45

64.2

21

23.6

4

4.9

p < 0.001

Moderate

20

28.6

39

43.8

9

11.1

χ ² = 118.25

Absent

5

7.2

29

32.6

68

84.0

Weight loss in the last 3 months

More than 3 kg

47

67.2

32

35.9

4

4.9

Does not know

10

14.3

18

20.2

2

2.5

p < 0.005

Between 1 and 3 kg

9

12.8

18

20.2

20

24.7

χ ² = 103.34

Absent

4

5.7

21

23.6

55

67.9

Mobility

Bedbound or wheelchair-bound

37

52.8

9

10.2

6

7.4

p < 0.001

Walks only at home

16

22.8

10

11.2

4

4.9

χ ² = 80.77

Normal

17

24.4

70

78.6

71

87.7

Stress or acute illness in the last months

Yes

No

42

28

60.0

40.0

32

57

35.9

64.1

10

71

12.3

87.7

p < 0.007

χ ² = 37.53

Has neuropsychological problems, dementia or depression

Severe

18

25.8

9

10.2

1

1.25

p < 0.001

Mild dementia

15

21.4

3

3.4

1

1.3

χ ² = 52.58

Absent

37

52.8

77

86.5

79

97.5

Arm circumference (AC)

≤5

39

58.2

14

15.9

2

2.5

p < 0.003

(N = 236)

P5 < AC ≤ P10

0

0

13

14.8

9

11.1

χ ² = 75.50

P10 < AC < P85

25

37.3

45

51.1

49

60.5

AC ≥ P85

3

4.5

16

18.2

21

25.9