Methods: Secondary data from the TURN study’s investigation of U.S. and Canadian NH residents (n= 690) who scored at moderate or high PrU risk were used to evaluate the nutrition subscale’s utility for identifying nutritional intake risk factors. Associations were studied between the nutrition subscale screening score, dietary intake (mean percent meal intake and by meal type, mean number of protein servings, and type of protein source(s), and percent intake of supplements and snacks), weight outcomes, and new PrU incidence.
Results: The majority (61.9%) of residents who were at moderate risk for PrU development and 59.2% of those at high risk consumed a mean meal intake of <75%. Less than 18% of residents consumed <50% of meals or refused meals. No significant differences were observed in body weight variances by nutrition subscale risk or in mean number protein servings/meal [1.4 (+ SD=0.58) versus 1.3 (+ SD=0.53)] for moderate versus high risk residents. Nutrition subscale estimates approximated subsequent estimated dietary intake.
Conclusion: Nutrition subscale scores can offer insight into meal intake patterns for those at PrU risk. Findings support use of the Braden Scale’s nutrition subscale as a preliminary screening method to identify focused areas for potential intervention. Dietary intake monitoring in conjunction with weight loss or gain as indicators of dietary adequacy helped further document connections between nutrition risk category, intake, and weight sustainability. Clinical and research insights will be discussed in relation to nutritional risk evaluation and care planning framework to aid translation of findings to PrU prevention practice.
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