Table 1.

Characteristics of selected screening tools Tool Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) (Torodovic et al, 2003; Elia, 2003) Nutrition Risk Screen (NRS) (Riley Adult & child hospital patients et al, 1995) Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) (Ek et al, 1996; Baker et al, 1982) Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) (Ferguson et al, 1999) Derby Nutritional Score (DNS) (Goudge et al, 1998) Adult hospital patients Adult hospital patients Adult hospital patients 5 sections: BMI*/ percentile chart, weight loss, appetite, ability to eat/ retain food, stress factor 2 sections: History of: weight loss, dietary intake change, gastro-intestinal symptoms, functional capacity, disease Physical signs of wasting, oedema, ascites 3 questions: unintentional weight loss, amount of loss, dietary intake/ appetite 7 sections: body weight for height, mobility, gastro-intestinal symptoms, skin condition, appetite and dietary intake, psychological state, age. Mini Nutritional Assessment & Short Form (MNA SR) Rubenstein et al, 2001; Guigez et al, 1994) Nutritional Risk Index (NRI) (Wolinsky et al, 1990; Prendergast et al, 1989) Nutritional Risk Assessment Scale (NuRAS) (Nikolaus et al, 1995)
* BMI, Body Mass Index, weight (kg)/ height (m2).

Target group

Tool comprises:

Adult patients in hospital, community and 3 sections: BMI*, unplanned weight loss, acute disease all care settings effect; score and management plan

Older adults

6-item initial screen: BMI, recent weight loss, mobility, cognitive/ mood state, appetite and eating. If at risk, proceed with full 18-item version

Older adults

16-item questionnaire: medical history, medications, eating abilities, dietary habits and intake, smoking, weight change

Older adults

12-item questionnaire: medical history, eating abilities, medications, cognitive/ mood state, social habits, weight loss