What are we trying to do?

The aim of this work is to understand the most up-to-date evidence around the effect of protein on body mass and functionality in adults over 50 years old who are living with multiple long-term conditions.

 

 

Why is it important?

Due to an increase in longevity and improved survival rates from acute conditions, the number of individuals living with multiple long-term health conditions (MLTCs, also known as multimorbidity) is increasing. MLTCs can be defined as the coexistence of multiple chronic health conditions in an individual, which can include a long-term physical non-communicable disease, a mental health condition of long duration or a long-term infectious disease. 

 

Ageing is associated with progressive decline in muscle mass and strength, leading to a decrease in physical function which can in turn result in poor quality of life, falls, fractures, disabilities, sarcopenia, frailty, decreased mobility, functional decline, increased independence and decreased life expectancy. Research shows that ingesting adequate protein may help to maintain muscle mass and function.

 

Dietary requirements associated with long-term health conditions can impact an individual’s nutritional status. Dietary guidance is often targeted at a single health condition and may not take into consideration the overlap of guidance for those with multiple long-term conditions which could cause malnutrition and dehydration. Malnutrition is associated with poorer outcomes such as higher mortality, increased periods of hospitalisation, longer recovery times post illness and increased risk of infections.

 

Current guidelines for protein intake do not account for age and gender related changes in hormone levels, metabolism, immunity and the presence of multi-morbidities. Additional protein allowance may be required to maintain muscle mass, especially if the high disease burden for this population is taken into consideration.  

 

This review will focus on protein intake in adults over 50 years living with multiple long-term conditions in relation to lean body mass and muscle function.  

 

 

How are we doing it?

We are conducting a systematic review of the published data and will focus on adults aged 50+ years, living in the community independently and with two or more multiple long-term conditions.

 

Full details of the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the review in terms of participants/interventions/comparators/outcomes (PICO) can be found on PROSPERO 

 

 

Who are we working with?

• The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)
• The University of Manchester's Health Ageing Research Group (HARG)

 

Insight from this review will be shared with strategic partners, whilst also helping to inform future intervention design with the residents of Greater Manchester.

 

 

More information

 

 

 

Programme Manager
Alison Littlewood
alison.j.littlewood@manchester.ac.uk