When malnutrition is suspected, the patient history should include cognitive evaluation to assess dementia. There are many tools available for this assessment and others, such as the Mini-Cog© test, Mini-Mental State Examination, and General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition. In an older patient, peripheral neuropathy and dementia can also suggest malnutrition.
In an older patient suffering from depression, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor levels may impact physical health. Paroxetine can increase appetite and may be beneficial for older patients experiencing depression and nutritional deficiency. Of note, pseudodementia related to depression must be distinguished from dementia.
Learn more about the workup of malnutrition in older patients.
Medscape © 2021 WebMD, LLC
Any views expressed above are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of WebMD or Medscape.
Cite this: Nadia Ali. Fast Five Quiz: Presentation and Diagnosis of Nutrition and Malnutrition in Older Adults - Medscape - Jul 13, 2021.
Comments