Protein Supplements May Benefit Hospitalized Elderly

ABERDEEN, Scotland--Protein supplementation appears to help decrease mortality rates in hospitalized elderly patients, though generally healthy older people do not appear to benefit from the added nutrition. In a new meta-analysis appearing in the Annals of Internal Medicine (144, 1:37-48, 2006), researchers included 55 randomized, controlled trials of oral protein and energy supplementation compared with placebo or control treatment in older people. The data suggested for patients in short-term care hospitals who were undernourished at baseline, oral protein supplementation resulted in fewer complications and reduced mortality. There were few studies providing evidence of benefits to mortality or morbidity for older adults taking energy supplements at home. As such, the researchers conclude nutritional supplements may have some benefit to undernourished elderly hospitalized patients, but there is not enough evidence to draw conclusions as to the efficacy of such supplementation by older, well-nourished adults.