title: The Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 tool for detecting malnutrition risk in hospitalised patients: perspective from a developing country.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To verify the validity of the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) 2002 test in a Turkish population.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively investigated 2566 patients at a tertiary referral hospital. Nutritional status was screened using NRS 2002, and the length of the stay (LOS) was the main outcome measure. Hospital stays >10 days were accepted as prolonged LOS. NRS scores ≥3 were accepted as indicating risk for malnutrition. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the independent risk factors for malnutrition risk and prolonged LOS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of patients was 56.6±16.9 years. According to the NRS 2002, 964 patients (37.6%) were without risk, 1320 (51.4%) warranted surveillance and 282 (11%) were at high risk for malnutrition. Malnutrition rate was the highest in the intensive care unit (22.01%). Prolonged LOS was seen in 24.4% of patients. Intensive care unit stay [odds ratio (OR): 0.585; confidence interval (CI): 1.45-2.22; p<0.001] and an NRS score ≥3 (OR: 0.88; CI: 1.87-3.13; p<0.001) were independent risk factors for prolonged LOS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Improving healthcare outcomes while avoiding preventable healthcare costs is an important goal of healthcare provision in developing countries. NRS 2002 was predictive of LOS, and thus, of patient prognosis. Further community-based studies are warranted to assess the impact of NRS 2002 on reducing healthcare costs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaaslan Oncology Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. halesumer@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Hale
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gökcan
authors.forename: Haldun
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Selçuk
authors.forename: Emine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Töre
authors.forename: Pınar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gülseren
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cambaz
authors.forename: Şeniz
authors.initials: Ş
authors.lastname: Sarıtaş
authors.forename: Ruhsen
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Öcal
authors.forename: Özgür
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Başaran
authors.forename: Uğur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Yılmaz
authors.forename: Ebru
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Akın
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014421:Turkey