Assessment of Mediterranean Diet Adherence, Appetite Status, and Malnutrition in Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: This study aimed to assess adherence to the Mediterranean diet, appetite status, and malnutrition among elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) hospitalized in a chest diseases ward and to examine the relationship between Mediterranean diet adherence and nutritional status and appetite. Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional, descriptive study included 200 patients with COPD aged 65 years and older who were hospitalized at the University of Health Sciences Türkiye, Antalya Training and Research Hospital, Clinic of Chest Disease and were evaluated after becoming clinically stable.Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed with the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), appetite status was assessed with the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire, malnutrition was assessed with the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), and sarcopenia risk was assessed with sarcopenia screening tool.Results: The mean age of participants was 74.69 ± 6.03 years, and 61.5% had low adherence to the Mediterranean diet.According to the MNA, 97.0% of participants were classified as malnourished.Risk of poor appetite and weight loss was found in 95.0% of individuals, and risk of sarcopenia was found in 99.0%.No significant differences were found between Mediterranean diet adherence groups anthropometric measurements, nutritional status, appetite, or sarcopenia risk (p > 0.05).Correlation analysis showed a weak but statistically significant negative relationship between MEDAS score and body mass index (BMI) (r = -0.204;p = 0.004), whereas no significant relationships were observed with the other variables.Conclusion: Hospitalized older patients with COPD exhibit a high prevalence of malnutrition and an increased risk of appetiterelated weight loss and sarcopenia, despite an elevated mean BMI and low adherence to the Mediterranean diet.Routine screening using multidimensional tools at admission is essential, and patients at risk should be referred for comprehensive assessment and tailored nutritional care.