Low protein intake is associated with mortality in Brazilian older adults

Abstract

Abstract Objective To estimate the association between low protein intake and mortality in older adults. Methods Prospective study carried out with 621 older adults in a medium-sized city (Viçosa, Minas Gerais) in Brazil. Protein intake was assessed at baseline (2009) by the usual intake recall and the protein intake classification was used as proposed by the Brazilian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. Mortality data were collected in the follow-up period (2009 to 2018) from the Mortality Information System. Cox regression models were applied to estimate the independent association between total protein intake and mortality, and Hazard Ratio estimates and their respective 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results Among the 621 participants in the study, 52.7% were female, and the prevalence of low protein intake was 60.9%. Over the 9 years of follow-up, there were 154 deaths (23,3%). In the adjust models, older adults with low protein intake showed increased risk of death [HR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.05 - 2.82]. Conclusion Low protein intake may increase the risk of death in the older adults.