Exploring the relationship between decreased functionality rating and lower admitted anthropometrical indices in geriatric medical patients

Aims: This study seeks to investigate the correlation between diminished functionality and reduced anthropometric indices in geriatric medical patients, wherein ageing is associated with a physiological decline in organ or tissue function, diminished regulatory capacity, decreased reserves, or increased vulnerability to diseases or loss of abilities. 

Methods: The study was conducted at the King Hussein Medical Centre in Amman, Jordan, focusing on geriatric patients admitted for medical treatment. It used a retrospective observational design from January 2003 to May 2024, examining patients' functional status assessments using the Geriatric Functionality Rating Scale (GFRS). The study also investigated the regressional association between patients' GFRS scores and factors like body mass index and geriatric nutritional risk indexes. Independent variables like age, gender, admission duration, and comorbidity were also examined. The study used a significance level of p<0.05 for statistical significance.

Results: This retrospective observational study evaluated 641 geriatric patients who were medically admitted, revealing that approximately 45.71% (293 patients) were categorised as having higher functionality, as indicated by a geriatric functionality rating scale (GFRS) exceeding 30, and consequently classified as the self-sufficient cohort or Group I. Conversely, roughly 54.29% (348 patients) were classified as exhibiting diminished functionality, as seen by a GFRS ≤30, and thus considered either self-sufficient or necessitating designated institutional care in Group II.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated a positive regression association between the two primary geriatric assessment tools: the GNRI for malnutrition evaluation and the GFRS for functionality and dependency assessment. The ageing of patients and male gender adversely affected the functionality of geriatric patients. The regulation of nutritional supplements is a critical issue in clinical practice that necessitates recognition and intervention from both physicians and other collaborative medical personnel.