Detection of malnutrition using different screening tools in geriatric patient group: A cross-sectional study

This cross-sectional study aimed to detect malnutrition in hospitalized geriatric patients aged 65 years and older and to assess the consistency of the results obtained with different screening tools. The research was conducted with 130 patients hospitalized between January and April 2023 at American Hospital. Valid and reliable nutrition screening tools NRS-2002 (Nuritional Risk Screening-2002), MUST (Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) and MNA-SF (Mini Nutritional Assesment-Short Form) were used to determine the malnutrition status of the patients. Data were collected through a data collection form, including medical history and socio-economic status. According to NRS-2002, 51.5% of the patients were at nutrition risk; according to MUST, 33.1% had a high malnutrition risk; according to MNA-SF, 39.2% were malnourished, and 40% were at malnutrition risk. The results of all three screening tests identified patients in the groups undergoing tumour surgeries and those with gastrointestinal system cancer as being at risk for malnutrition. We found a significant consistency between NRS-2002, MUST as well as MNA-SF (p< 0.001). It can be concluded that malnutrition risk is high in geriatric patients, and all three tests are usable to detect malnutrition in patients aged 65 and older who are hospitalized.