Mallorca's health centers will carry out tests at every appointment to detect malnutrition in people over 70.

Any elderly patient who comes to the doctor with questions about weight loss or loss of appetite will be examined.

Health centers in Mallorca will carry out tests at all consultations to detect malnutrition in people over 70 years of age.

The exam is given to any old patient who presents to the doctor and includes questions about weight loss or loss of appetite

Experts estimate that 20% to 30% of older people are at risk, a condition that is often underdiagnosed.

The aim is to prevent complications, hospitalizations and dependency related to malnutrition.

In the coming months, Mallorca's health centers will implement a protocol to detect malnutrition problems in people over 70.Taking advantage of each visit to their health care provider, they will be offered a test to determine if they are at risk of suffering from this nutritional deficiency.

The event is part of an agreement between Ibsalut and the Official Association of Dietitians-Nutritionists of the Balearic Islands (Codnib), which implements Majorca's main care services.The initiative will be rolled out to other islands as well.

With this protocol in place, every time an elderly patient comes for a consultation, regardless of the reason, they can be asked a short questionnaire with important questions: if they have recently lost weight or if they have reduced their intake due to lack of appetite, etc.

“It is a rapid test that gives us a first idea of ​​the risk,” says Ursula Sánchez, one of the program coordinators, nutritionist and nurse at CS Platja de Palma.

Malnutrition in the elderly is more common than realized and, according to experts, underdiagnosed.In the Balearic Islands, between 20% and 30% of the elderly are at risk of malnutrition, explains Sánchez.

In health care settings, he added, "the risk is even greater.""In referral hospitals and public health centers in the Balearic Islands, various studies and medical lists put the prevalence of malnutrition or malnutrition at over 30% or 50%, especially in patients with illnesses, weakness or dependence," he said.

The consequences of this health problem are significant: more frailty, more hospitalizations with longer stays and increased mortality.

"We are interested in treating it in time, before complications and addiction appear", emphasizes the specialist, emphasizing the "privileged" position of Primary Care for the constant monitoring of these patients.

The second step is if there is a threat

If this initial investigation reveals a risk of malnutrition, we will proceed to the second, more specific stage.To do this, international criteria will be used, such as those set out in the GLIM (Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition) agreement, which can confirm malnutrition based on symptoms such as significant weight loss in recent months or a low body mass index.

The process is not limited to naming the problem.After identification, full intervention works.Sánchez explains: “We are not satisfied with identifying malnutrition, we investigate its causes.

The most common reasons include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), drug side effects or social problems, such as a lack of resources to access adequate nutrition.In these cases, the procedure includes the coordination of social workers and individual nutrition advice.

For example, if there is a loss of muscle mass, it is necessary to increase protein and calories.Examples include hydration (key to avoid problems like constipation) or drinking alcohol, which is common among many adults.

According to Sanchez, one of the challenges is combating misinformation about nutrition, some of which has been fueled by social networks.

While there are general recommendations (eating fruit, legumes or fish), he insists that each case must be assessed individually. For example, many elderly people have reduced protein intake due to difficulty chewing or economic costs.

"The goal is to identify people at early risk and act before the problem progresses," he concludes.

The law will be implemented with special training of doctors.Several meetings are planned in Mallorca at the end of March and April, as well as meetings in Ibiza and Menorca.

Primary nutritional deficiencies

From the Official College of Dietitians-Nutritionists of the Balearic Islands, its president, Manuel Monino, believes that malnutrition is "underestimated" compared to other health risks, and claims that the lack of dietitians and nutritionists in primary care "contributes to this lack of visibility", contrary to what happens in other societies.

Monino points out that the over-70s are in an age group with particular "fragility, chronicity and food insecurity" because of potential difficulties in going shopping.And it's a "health condition that affects people's quality of life and health costs because hospitalizations and spending on drugs increase," he argues.

President Codnib reminds that the Government has committed to creating support units on this matter in at least seven health centers, which has not yet taken effect.In any case, he believes that this application of a special protocol for the elderly is an "enriching experience" that allows recognition of the central role of dietitians and nutritionists.

Test questions

The test, which will be offered to children aged 70 and over at the Children's Association consultation meeting, includes questions such as: "Have you eaten less in the past three months due to loss of appetite, digestive problems, difficulty chewing or swallowing?"

We also asked about potential weight loss in the past 3 months, recent psychological stress, and BMI.

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