Use of nutritional scores to predict clinical outcomes in chronic diseases

Many hospitalized patients are malnourished, and the relationship between m alnutrition and patient outcome is well established. To determine which pat ients are at nutritional risks, clinical scores are probably more accurate than using a single nutritional parameter Among the numerous scores publish ed, both the Prognostic Nutritional Index and the Subjective Global Assessm ent were prospectively validated One is based on objective measurements, wh ereas the second is based on medical history and physical examination. The Nutritional Risk Index has been used in many studies including the "Veteran s Study." The Mini Nutritional Assessment is a promising score for evaluati ng malnutrition in the elderly. The development of nutritional scores for u se by nurses may facilitate screening of a large number of hospitalized pat ients.