title: Validation of a Screening Tool to Identify Undernutrition in Ambulatory Patients With Liver Cirrhosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of chronic liver disease is increasing in the United States. Malnutrition is common as liver disease progresses. However, an accepted method to screen these patients for malnutrition is lacking. The 6-question undernutrition screening tool was developed for professionals without nutrition training to identify a decline in the nutrition status of patients with liver cirrhosis. A 3-phase validation study was completed to assess face, content, and clinical validity of the screening tool in ambulatory patients with liver cirrhosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In phase I, face validity was determined by surveying 13 liver disease professionals. In phase II, content validity was assessed by surveying 12 registered dietitians who specialize in liver disease. In phase III, a cross-sectional investigation was completed to compare the agreement between the undernutrition screening tool and nutrition assessment by a registered dietitian (RD).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-two patients with a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis participated in phase III of the investigation. The RD assessment identified undernutrition in 82% of patients (95% CI, 60%-95%). The κ statistic indicated a fair agreement between the screening tool and RD assessment. Sensitivity and specificity of the tool were 72% and 75%, respectively, and positive predictive value was 93%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Feedback from phase I, II, and III indicate that the undernutrition screening tool is simple, is easy to use, and measures the constructs that have the strongest link with undernutrition in liver disease. Additional minor adjustments to the screening tool and a multicenter investigation are indicated to confirm clinical effectiveness and cross-validity of the tool.
authors.affiliation: Carolinas Healthcare System, Charlotte, North Carolina amybooi@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Amy N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Booi
authors.affiliation: Carolinas Healthcare System, Charlotte, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Menendez
authors.affiliation: Carolinas Healthcare System, Charlotte, North Carolina.
authors.forename: H James
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.affiliation: Carolinas Healthcare System, Charlotte, North Carolina.
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Nutrition at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ellis
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D009752:Nutritional Status; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*
keywords: end-stage liver disease; liver cirrhosis; liver diseases; malnutrition; nutrition assessment