Screening and assessment of nutritional status
Year: 2015
Type: article
Abstract: Despite the development of modern medicine, malnutrition is still a neglected problem, although its prevalence is high, while the effects it has on the course, duration, complications, costs and outcome of treatment of patients can sometimes be catastrophic. Timely and adequate screening and assessment of the nutritional status of patients represent a first step in the fight against malnutrition. Initial screening through a brief examination identifies the parameters which are known to be associated with nutritional problems, while the assessment of nutritional status by using anthropometric, functional, laboratory tests and clinical examination gives insight into the presence and extent of malnutrition. Today there are over 40 tests that can be used in order to rapidly inspect or to thoroughly assess nutritional status. Although none of the existing tests is perfect and can not be applied in all subgroups of patients, the clinical assessment may help in choosing the method that will have the best sensitivity and predictive value for the patient. Implementing nutritional screening as a standard procedure in medical institutions, would significantly affect the quality of everyday clinical practice and the fight against malnutrition.
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology (medical)
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W2738617689