Objective:
To validate a revision of the mini nutritional assessment short-form (mna(r)-sf) against the full mna, a standard tool for nutritional evaluation.
Methods:
A literature search identified studies that used the mna for nutritional screening in geriatric patients. the contacted authors submitted original datasets that were merged into a single database. various combinations of the questions on the current mna-sf were tested using this database through combination analysis and roc based derivation of classification thresholds.
Results:
Twenty-seven datasets (n=6257 participants) were initially processed from which twelve were used in the current analysis on a sample of 2032 study participants (mean age 82.3y) with complete information on all mna items. the original mna-sf was a combination of six questions from the full mna. a revised mna-sf included calf circumference (cc) substituted for bmi performed equally well. a revised three-category scoring classification for this revised mna-sf, using bmi and/or cc, had good sensitivity compared to the full mna.
Conclusion:
The newly revised mna-sf is a valid nutritional screening tool applicable to geriatric health care professionals with the option of using cc when bmi cannot be calculated. this revised mna-sf increases the applicability of this rapid screening tool in clinical practice through the inclusion of a "malnourished" category.