To Create a Consensus on Malnutrition Diagnostic Criteria.

Area of Science:

• Clinical Nutrition
• Global Health Initiatives
• Malnutrition Diagnosis

Background:

• Representatives from major global Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (PEN) societies convened to advance malnutrition diagnosis discussions.
• Previous meetings in 2016 focused on sharing current diagnostic thinking and identifying areas of agreement and divergence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a global consensus on evidence-based criteria for diagnosing malnutrition.
• To promote the widespread dissemination and adoption of these diagnostic criteria worldwide.
• To seek endorsement from the World Health Organization (WHO) and inclusion in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD).

Main Methods:

• Formation of a Core Working Committee from leading PEN societies (ESPEN, ASPEN, PENSA, FELANPE).
• Development of consensus criteria through collaboration with a broad, globally representative working group.
• Utilizing various communication methods including email, teleconferences, and in-person meetings at international congresses.

Main Results:

• Agreement exists on the importance of weight loss as a key indicator in malnutrition diagnosis across major approaches.
• Consideration of diverse factors such as ethnicity-specific BMI, sarcopenia, and resource availability is crucial for a global approach.
• A structured process for consensus development with transparency and external input has been initiated.

Conclusions:

• A global, collaborative effort is underway to create a standardized, evidence-based malnutrition diagnostic tool.
• The initiative prioritizes inclusivity, considering global resource differences and ethnic variations.
• The ultimate goal is to improve malnutrition diagnosis and management on a global scale through standardized criteria.