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Abstract Malnutrition is generally widespread particularly in elderly population and especially among resident in long-term care facilities. Malnutrition among this population appears to persist as a problem despite being preventable and treatable. With the increasing number of nursing homes in Egypt, and hence the increasing number of elderly in nursing homes, the problem of malnutrition is an issue which needs to be tackled. The aim of this work was to study the risk factors of malnutrition in nursing homes in Cairo. A cross-sectional study was performed on a sample of 100 elderly subjects 60 years old and above, both males and females, who were chosen from nursing homes. The 100 elderly were subjected to comprehensive geriatric assessment which includes history taking, functional assessment by ADL and IADL, cognitive assessment by MMSE and mood assessment by GDS. Nutritional status was evaluated by using the DETERMINE Checklist and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). In addition to measuring waist hip ratio and triceps skinfold thickness. According to the results of the DETERMINE Checklist the risk factors of malnutrition were; age, female gender, depression, lower Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) scores, osteoarthritis, Ischemic heart disease, being assisted in instrumental activities of daily living, low waist hip ratio, tooth or mouth problems, polypharmacy, weight loss, the need for assistance in self-care, and financial problems. While the MNA found the following to be risk factors of malnutrition; age, depression, lower MMSE scores, longer periods of residence in nursing homes, osteoarthritis, hypertension, lower Body Mass Index (BMI), lower calf circumference, having an illness that leads to a change in diet, tooth or mouth problems, polypharmacy, weight loss, the need for assistance in self-care, and financial problems. It was concluded that both the DETERMINE Checklist and MNA revealed common risk factors of malnutrition which were; dental troubles, polypharmacy, osteoarthritis, increasing age, depression, lower MMSE Scores, weight loss or gain, and financial problems. Thus elderly in nursing homes should be screened for these risk factors to help reduce the risk of malnutrition in nursing homes. |