Risk of malnutrition is associated with poor physical function in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation following heart failure.

AIM: Patients who experience heart failure are prone to malnutrition. The aim of this study was to determine the association between risk of malnutrition and physical function in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation following heart failure.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in consecutive patients hospitalised for cardiac rehabilitation following heart failure. Risk of malnutrition was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF). Physical function was evaluated using the Barthel index (BI). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine whether nutritional status was associated with BI in these patients.

RESULTS: The present study included 105 patients (mean age of 77.3 years, 56 men and 49 women) for analysis. The median (interquartile range) scores of the MNA-SF and BI were 11 (9-13) and 75 (45-90), respectively. Patients with high risk of malnutrition (MNA-SF score < 7) were significantly older, had a lower body mass index, exhibited lower muscle mass and strength, could walk shorter distances, and had lower BI scores (all P < 0.05). On multivariate analysis, the MNA-SF score was independently associated with BI (β = 0.409, P < 0.001) after adjusting for age, sex, muscle mass and strength, brain natriuretic peptide levels, ejection fraction of the left ventricle, and reason for admission.

CONCLUSIONS: Risk of malnutrition is associated with physical function in patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation following heart failure. Early detection of malnutrition and commencement of nutritional support may improve functional recovery in these patients.