Malnutrition: Which Screening-Tool is Appropriate?

Protein-energy-malnutrition of patients represents a relevant and increasing problem also in the industrialised countries. Many studies have shown a prevalence of malnutrition between 20 and 60% in hospitalized medical or surgical patients but also in out-patients. Malnutrition causes many consequences at various levels and negatively influences quality of life, immune system, muscle strength and worsens the prognosis of the patient. As malnutrition is a largely treatable co-morbidity, rapid and simple identification and effective management of this condition are essential and cost-saving. For this reason, using a simple and standardised screening tool for the identification of patients at nutritional risk in the daily practice is very important. If the risk of malnutrition is recognised early, many cases could be treated or could even be prevented, with beneficial effects on patient outcome and accompanying reductions in health costs. The medical team in charge should perform the nutritional risk screening to recognize the nutritional problems and to solve them with an interdisciplinary approach.