Malnutrition Screening and Assessment

It is impractical to conduct a routine malnutrition assessment of each patient at risk of malnutrition. In patients identified at increased risk by screening, a full assessment is warranted. 

• Screening involves an evaluation of  risk using a short validated tool.
  The screening tool is a brief set of simple questions that help practitioners identify people likely to be at risk. Those identified as high risk need to undergo a complete assessment.
   
• The assessment is an in-depth process aimed at determining the presence and severity of malnutrition.
  Assessment is more detailed and complex than screening. It includes a nutrition-focused physical examination, interpreting the diet- and nutrition-related history, taking anthropometric measurements and evaluating the biochemical indices related to the patient’s nutritional and clinical status.^(1,2)

References
1.  Guigoz Y, Vellas B, Garry PJ. Assessing the nutritional status of the elderly: The mini nutritional assessment as part of the geriatric evaluation. Nutr Rev. 1996; 54: S59-S65.
2.  Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Oncology (ONC) guideline. 2013; Accessed October 28, 2024. Available from: https://www.andeal.org/topic.cfm?menu=5291&cat=5067.