A Cross-Sectional Study of GLIM-Defined Malnutrition Based on New Validated Calf Circumference Cut-off Values and...

The Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) is new criteria for diagnosing malnutrition that need validation adjusted to race. Our aim is to determine the optimal reference values of calf circumference (CC), investigate the prevalence of GLIM-defined malnutrition based on different screening tools in inpatients over 70 years old in China and assess its relationship with clinical outcomes.

We designed two continuity studies by analyzing a prospective multicenter database. First, we estimated and validated the CC cut-off values by receiver operating characteristic analyses against in-hospital mortality. Then the patients who were at risk by NRS 2002, MNA-SF and MUST were assessed by the GLIM criteria using the new CC values. Some clinical parameters and outcome data were evaluated.

The optimal cut-off values of CC were 29.6 cm for male patients and 27.5 cm for female patients. The prevalence of GLIM-defined malnutrition was 27.5% by using NRS2002, 32.6% by using MNA-SF and 25.4% by using MUST. Patients with GLIM-defined malnutrition showed significantly worse values in BMI, total protein, albumin, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, CC, rate of complication, in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and total hospital cost than normal patients. Multivariate logistic regression showed the odds ratio of in-hospital mortality was significantly associated with GLIM defined malnutrition by using MNA-SF [OR = 1.231, 95%CI (1.022, 1.484), P = 0.029].

The Chinese reference values of CC for inpatients over 70 years old were validated by in-hospital mortality, which could be implemented in GLIM criteria. And this population possessed a high prevalence of nutrition risk and malnutrition. GLIM criteria with MNA-SF seems to be the first choice to diagnose malnutrition.