Turkish Validation of the ALOC Screening Scale in Older Adults

NCT07147439 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 21.04.2025-04-73
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 300
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

As the elderly population increases, health problems related to aging are also increasing. Loss of appetite negatively affects public health by causing malnutrition and related health problems in elderly individuals. Loss of appetite is a common problem in older adults, both in individuals with and without cognitive impairment. This can lead to serious health problems such as malnutrition, weight loss, muscle loss, weakening of the immune system and decreased quality of life. Cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's and dementia can trigger loss of appetite, or loss of appetite can be a symptom of these disorders. Factors such as metabolic changes during the aging process, decreased sense of taste and smell, loneliness and depression contribute to loss of appetite. However, there is no valid and reliable scale in Turkey for the early diagnosis and assessment of loss of appetite. A scale being valid and reliable means that it can measure the concept it is intended to measure accurately and consistently. The aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the Loss of Appetite Scale in older adults with and without cognitive impairment .

Conditions

Elderly (People Aged 65 or More); With or Without Cognitive Impairment

Keywords

Elderly; ALOC; SNAQ; TURKISH VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Version of the Appetite Loss in Older Adults With and Without Cognitive Impairment (ALOC) Screening Scale

  Loss of appetite is common in older adults and increases the risk of malnutrition, functional decline, and adverse health outcomes. Older adults with cognitive impairment are particularly vulnerable. The Appetite Loss in Older Adults With and Without Cognitive Impairment (ALOC) Screening Scale, developed by Rudzinska et al. (2025), consists of 7 dichotomous items scored 0-7, with cut-offs indicating appetite loss (≥3), risk (=2), or low risk (≤1). This study aims to adapt the ALOC into Turkish and evaluate its psychometric properties in adults ≥65 years with and without cognitive impairment. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, factor structure, convergent and known-groups validity, and diagnostic accuracy will be tested. Predictive validity will be assessed through nutritional and clinical outcomes over 3 months. The validated Turkish ALOC is expected to provide a practical screening tool to support early detection and management of appetite loss in geriatric care.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Elderly with or without cognitive impairment

The data collection process of the research will be carried out in four different nursing homes in Mersin province. For this study, a total of 300 older adults will be reached. Within the scope of the research, one-on-one interviews will be conducted with elderly individuals staying in these nursing homes and "scale questions planned to be adapted into Turkish" and "descriptive information forms" will be used.

The data collection process of the research will be carried out in four different nursing homes.

Within the scope of the research, one-on-one interviews will be conducted with elderly individuals staying in these nursing homes and "scale questions planned to be adapted into Turkish" and "descriptive information forms" will be used.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

The data collection process of the research will be carried out in four different nursing homes in Mersin province, namely Mersin Aid and Kindness Foundation Retirement Home, Mersin Sevgi Bağı Retirement Home, Private Mersin Bahar Retirement Home and Private Alya Elderly Care Center and Retirement Home. The interviews will be conducted in an atmosphere suitable for the participants to express themselves in a comfortable and safe environment. In addition, within the framework of ethical rules, the participants will be included in the research on a voluntary basis and the confidentiality of their information will be protected. The collected data will be analyzed in line with the purpose of the research and the results will be evaluated.

You may qualify if:

• Elderly over 65 years, with or without cognitive impairment

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Toros University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Mersin Aid and Kindness Foundation Retirement Home, Mersin Sevgi Bağı Retirement Home, Private Mersin Bahar Retirement Home and Private Alya Elderly Care Center and Retirement Home.

Mersin, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

Central Study Contacts

Betül Gülşen, Assoc.Prof

CONTACT

+905322837384; betul.atalay@toros.edu.tr

Neslihan Özcanarslan, Asst. Prof.

CONTACT

neslihan.ozcanarslan@toros.edu.tr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: ECOLOGIC OR COMMUNITY
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assoc. Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 21, 2025
• First Posted: August 29, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: November 1, 2025
• Study Completion: December 1, 2025
• Last Updated: August 29, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)