Wham, Carol, Baggett, Fiona, Teh, Ruth, Moyes, Simon, Kepa, Mere, Connolly, Martin, Jatrana, Santosh, and Kerse, Ngaire (2015) Dietary protein intake may reduce hospitalisation due to infection in Maori of advanced age: LiLACS NZ. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 39 (4). pp. 390-395.

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Abstract

Objective: To investigate factors related to hospital admission for infection, specifically examining nutrient intakes of Ma¯ori in advanced age (80+ years).

Method: Face-to-face interviews with 200 Ma¯ori (85 men) to obtain demographic, social and health information. Diagnoses were validated against medical records. Detailed nutritional assessment using the 24-hour multiple-pass recall method was collected on two separate days. FOODfiles was used to analyse nutrient intake. National Health Index (NHI) numbers were matched to hospitalisations over a two-year period (12 months prior and 12 months following dietary assessment). Selected International Classification of Disease (ICD) codes were used to identify admissions related to infection.

Results: A total of 18% of participants were hospitalised due to infection, most commonly lower respiratory tract infection. Controlling for age, gender, NZ deprivation index, diabetes, CVD and chronic lung disease, a lower energy-adjusted protein intake was independently associated with hospitalisation due to infection: OR (95%CI) 1.14 (1.00-1.29), p=0.046.

Conclusions: Protein intake may have a protective effect on the nutrition-related morbidity of older Ma¯ori. Improving dietary protein intake is a simple strategy for dietary modification aiming to decrease the risk of infections that lead to hospitalisation and other morbidities.

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