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Reliability and validity of the nutritional form for the elderly (NUFFE)
Ulrika Söderhamn1, Olle Söderhamn
1Department of Geriatrics and Rehabilitation, Norra Alvsborgs Länssjukhus, Trollhättan, Sweden.
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|January 11, 2002
Summary
The Nutritional Form for the Elderly (NUFFE) is a reliable and valid tool for nurses to identify undernutrition in older patients. Calculating BMI alongside NUFFE assessment is recommended for comprehensive nutritional status evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Clinical Nutrition
- Nursing Research
Background:
- High prevalence of undernutrition in elderly patients in healthcare settings.
- Nutritional status assessment is crucial for nurses in clinical care.
- Simple nutritional assessment instruments aid nurses in evaluating older patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Nutritional Form for the Elderly (NUFFE).
- To determine if NUFFE is a suitable tool for assessing nutritional status in older adults.
Main Methods:
- 114 newly admitted older patients were interviewed using NUFFE and Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA).
- Physical measurements (BMI, arm/calf circumference) and biochemical markers (serum albumin) were collected.
- Reliability assessed via homogeneity; validity assessed using criterion-related, concurrent, construct, and predictive methods.
Main Results:
- The NUFFE demonstrated fair reliability and validity.
- The instrument effectively identifies both actual and potential undernutrition in the elderly population.
Conclusions:
- NUFFE is a practical tool for nurses to screen for undernutrition and identify at-risk older patients.
- Incorporating Body Mass Index (BMI) calculation enhances NUFFE's nutritional assessment.
- Combining NUFFE with food intake recording can provide a more thorough nutritional evaluation.