Validation of the Resident Assessment Instrument triggers in the detection of under-nutrition.

OBJECTIVE: To test the validity of Resident Assessment Instrument triggers for people in Danish nursing homes and subjects receiving home care by exploring their ability to identify older people with insufficient energy and protein intake.

DESIGN: Regression analysis of insufficient energy or protein intake on each of the Resident Assessment Instrument triggers alone or in combination.

SUBJECTS: 38 people receiving home care and 41 living in nursing homes.

METHODS: A 4 day estimated dietary record, assessment of energy and protein intake, calculation of body mass index.

RESULTS: Food remaining on the plate, weight loss and any trigger present significantly influenced the energy or protein intake of the nursinghome subjects. No triggers reflected the energy or protein intake of the subjects at home.

CONCLUSION: Observation of food intake seems to be the best way to detect which older Danish people living in nursing homes or receiving home care have insufficient energy or protein intake.