Purpose: Optimal wound healing requires adequate nutrition. A holistic approach to wound care needs to include nutrition assessment. This study examined use of the USDA Adult Food Sufficiency Questionnaire and the Nestle Mini Nutritional Assessment with patients with injection-related venous ulcers. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. Participants (n=31) were recruited from an urban clinic that provided wound care. They completed background and activity questionnaires, the USDA Adult Food Sufficiency Questionnaire, and the Nestle Mini Nutritional (MNA) Assessment. Results: Their mean age was 56.1 years (SD=3.6); 54% were men; all were African American. All had injected illicit drugs. They had a mean of 5.1 (SD=2.4) comorbidities and rated health at a mean of 5.8 (SD=1.7) (scale range 1-10, low to high). They had a mean BMI of 27.6 (SD=4.9) (overweight range). On the USDA Adult Food Sufficiency Questionnaire, participants generally reported having enough to eat, did not worry about money for food, food lasted, and were able to eat balanced meals. The MNA had a mean total score of 22.6 (SD=3.5) indicating being at risk for malnutrition. Better MNA total scores were significantly related to higher reported physical health (r=.50, p<.005), higher rating of ability to carry out social roles (r=.44, p=.01), and less difficulty with walking, standing, climbing and working (r=-.50, p=.004). Conclusions: Persons with injection-related venous ulcers reported food availability; but MNA indicated a risk for malnutrition. Better nutrition was significantly related to better health and ability to participate in social roles as well as less difficulty with basic physical activities. This is the first study to examine use of nutrition assessment instruments in person with injection-related venous ulcers. These findings highlight the importance of nutrition assessment in addition to weight and BMI. These instruments need further testing in a comparable sample.
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