Nutrients · 7 authors, 3 centres
This summary was generated by AI from a single paper. It has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not clinical advice. Verify against the source before acting on it.
This cross-sectional study of 60 elderly individuals in extreme poverty in the Peruvian Amazon found that 85% were malnourished or at risk, 60% were frail, and 87% had mild dependence. Better nutritional status was significantly associated with lower frailty and dependence, highlighting the need for targeted nutritional and functional interventions in this vulnerable population.
**Background:** Frailty is a biological syndrome characterized by loss of physiological reserve, increasing susceptibility to adverse health outcomes. In the Peruvian Amazon, elderly individuals living in extreme poverty face caloric deficits linked to functional and cognitive decline. This study aimed to identify the health needs of elderly people in Requena del Tapiche through a geriatric assessment of nutritional and functional status, to inform future cooperation projects.
**Methods:** This was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted between 28 June and 15 July 2022. The study population comprised all elderly individuals (≥65 years) enrolled in the Caritas Requena program for the elderly in extreme poverty. Inclusion criteria included no family help, eating two or fewer meals per day, lack of a mattress, no vitamin supplements, need to work to survive, and income less than 200 soles/month (~54 USD). The sample was chosen by convenience, including all 60 participants in the program. Data were collected via home visits using the PAPI (Paper and Pen Personal Interview) method by nurse volunteers from the Catholic University of Valencia and the local health center coordinator. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were recorded. Nutritional status was assessed using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) scale (scores: ≥24 satisfactory, 17–23.5 at risk, <17 malnourished). Functional dependence was measured with the Barthel index (0–100; categories: total <20, severe 20–40, moderate 40–55, mild >60). Gait stability and fall risk were evaluated using the Timed Get Up and Go test (normal <10 s, normal for frail elderly 11–20 s, needs help >20 s, high fall risk >30 s). Frailty was defined by Fried criteria (≥3 of 5: slowed gait, poor physical activity, self-reported fatigue, unintentional weight loss, muscle weakness). Statistical analysis included Chi² tests, logistic regression (OR), Mann–Whitney, Spearman correlation, and Kruskal–Wallis tests, with significance at p<0.05.
**Key Results:** The final sample included 60 participants (27 male, 33 female; mean age 79.2 ± 6.67 years, range 60–100). Ninety percent were aged 70–90 years. Nutritional status: 85% were malnourished or at risk (MNA <24). Dependence: 87% had mild dependence (Barthel >60), 13% had moderate or total dependence. Gait: mean Get Up and Go time was not explicitly reported, but only 3% needed assistance; none had high fall risk. Frailty: 60% were frail. Logistic regression showed that MNA (OR = 0.864, p = 0.044) and Barthel index (OR = 0.177, p = 0.033) were significant predictors of frailty. MNA and Barthel scores were positively correlated (Rho = 0.695, p < 0.000). The Kruskal–Wallis test confirmed a significant relationship between degree of dependence and nutritional status (p < 0.000). No significant association was found between frailty and sex.
**Clinical Implications:** The high prevalence of malnutrition (85%) and frailty (60%) among these elderly individuals in extreme poverty underscores the urgent need for nutritional interventions and comprehensive geriatric care. The mild dependence observed (87%) likely reflects the necessity of maintaining independence due to living alone, but this does not mitigate the risks associated with poor nutrition and frailty. The significant association between better nutritional status and lower frailty/dependence suggests that improving protein intake and overall nutrition could reduce frailty and dependency. The findings highlight the importance of early geriatric assessment using validated tools (MNA, Barthel, Get Up and Go) to identify at-risk individuals. Future cooperation projects should focus on nutritional supplementation, physical exercise programs to improve strength and balance, and social support to address loneliness. Limitations include the small sample size, convenience sampling, and limited generalizability due to the specific population. Nonetheless, this study provides critical baseline data for designing targeted interventions in similar impoverished settings.