Abstract
The occurrence of chronic diseases weakens the activity of the elderly and affects the nutritional status which exposes them to the risk of malnutrition as a result of poor health. The study aimed to assess the relation between nutritional status and chronic diseases among elderly at Assiut City. Subject and method: Descriptive cross sectional research design, Convenient sample were used in this study. The study was conducted on 1033 patients in outpatients' clinics at main Assiut university hospital. The study included two tools; the first included socio-demographic, medical history, nutritional habits and oral health, while the second mini-nutritional assessment scale. Results: 59.5% of the studied sample suffering from hypertension, while 36.5%, 37.4%of them had diabetes mellitus and orthopedic diseases respectively, and 65.1% of studied sample had mild Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Also 63.1% of studied sample at risk for malnutrition, and 30.7% were well-nourished. The study concluded that There were a significant relation between mini-nutritional assessment scale and different chronic diseases. The study Recommended that: Establish periodically nutritional assessment of elderly to identify at risk by using Mini-Nutritional Assessment scale and develop continuous health education program for elderly and their caregiver about nutritional need specifically with chronic diseases.