title: Assessment of protein-calorie malnutrition.
abstract: We critically review the various methods for assessing protein--calorie malnutrition. These tests are lacking in sensitivity and specificity, and currently no single one can be used as a reliable indicator of malnutrition. However, a combination of several of them can be used as prognostic indicators and are of help in selecting patients who may benefit from nutritional support. Body-composition analyses and functional tests hold the promise of greater applicability in the future. Newer and more nearly accurate tests for use in diagnosis of protein-calorie malnutrition as well as for objectively monitoring short-term changes in response to nutritional repletion are badly needed. Despite a lack of consensus on the desirability of objective nutritional assessment, we expect the use of these procedures in hospitals to increase.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000596:Amino Acids / Q000652:urine; D000818:Animals; D000886:Anthropometry; D001823:Body Composition; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003404:Creatinine / Q000652:urine; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007121:Immunocompetence; D007297:Inpatients; D007732:Kwashiorkor / Q000209:etiology; D008762:Methylhistidines / Q000032:analysis; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D012885:Skinfold Thickness; D013975:Thyroxine-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D005353:Fibronectins; D008762:Methylhistidines; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D013975:Thyroxine-Binding Proteins; D014168:Transferrin; D003404:Creatinine; C028118:3-methylhistidine; D009584:Nitrogen; D011188:Potassium