NUTRITION, INFLAMMATION, AND PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH IN AGING ADULTS WITH CHRONIC WOUNDS

Nutritional status can impact the healing of chronic leg wounds (CLW). This secondary data analysis examined characteristics associated with nutritional status among aging adults (N=62, M= 57.5, SD 12.1 years of age) living with a CLW who were enrolled in a randomized control trial to test a novel ultrasound intervention on wound healing. Nutritional status (Mini-Nutrition Assessment, [MNA]), physical and mental health (36-Item Short-Form Health Status Survey), and inflammation (high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein [CRP]) were measured at baseline. Majority of the participants were male (54.8%), non-Hispanic Black (67.7%) and either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition (64.5%). Compared to individuals with normal nutrition, individuals with malnutrition or risk for malnutrition had on average poorer physical health (38.7 vs 33.4, p <0.01), mental health (52.4 vs 45.8, p=0.03) and greater inflammation (CRP=13.4 vs 24.0, p=0.05). Tailored interventions targeting nutritional status, inflammation, physical and mental health are needed in aging adults with CLW.