Impactos da intervenção nutricional nos exames laboratoriais de idosos em uma instituição de longa permanência.

Abstract

The aging population in Brazil, which has been growing significantly, demands specific health strategies, especially in Long-Term Care Facilities for the Elderly (LTCFs). This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nutritional interventions on laboratory tests of elderly individuals living in a LTCF in the semi-arid region of Paraíba. The methodology consisted of a nutritional intervention that began with 30 elderly individuals and ended with 27, who received hypercaloric and hyperprotein supplementation, as well as omega-3, multivitamins and fiber, for 150 days, with pre- and post-intervention laboratory tests. The results, analyzed statistically (paired t-test and Wilcoxon, p<0.05), showed no significant changes in most parameters. However, three variables showed significant differences: reduction in Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) (p=0.01), drastic decrease in eosinophils (p<0.001) and increase in HDL (p=0.002). The observed changes in MHC and eosinophils are possibly associated with medications or methodological errors, suggesting further investigation. The increase in HDL may be related to supplementation with omega-3 and fiber. Limitations included medication interference and lack of post-intervention data for serum proteins. Therefore, we conclude that, although supplementation did not alter most markers, the increase in HDL stands out as a promising finding. In this sense, further studies with greater methodological control, larger samples and prolonged follow-up are needed.