Searching for a nutritional screening tool. The value of an analytical method when staff trained in clinical nutrition is not available

Abstract Introduction Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) is highly prevalent. Various European resolutions urge to screen and treat DRM. No policy in this regard has yet been developed in Extremadura (Spain). Objectives To assess the prevalence of DRM (defined as NRS 2002 ≥ 3) using an analytical method (FILNUT), and to compare it with the official rate. Results FILNUT scores ≥ 3 showed values of sensitivity (S) and positive predictive value (PPV) of 82.3% and 72.3% respectively. No statistically significant differences were found between men and women using this tool. FILNUT showed a significantly higher sensitivity for detecting malnutrition in medical – as compared to surgical – diseases when low scores were used. The estimated prevalence of DRM was 21.4%. Prevalence of DRM is much greater than officially reported. Conclusions FILNUT scores ≥ 3 show high sensitivity and PPV for detecting DRM, and is a good alternative as a nutritional screening tool to detect malnutrition at our center.