Comparison of Content and Psychometric Properties of Malnutrition Outcome Measures: A Systematic Review

To determine the most-often used outcome measures for malnutrition risk and malnutrition, analyse outcome measure content, and assess psychometric properties.

MEDLINE, SAGE Journals, Web of Science, SCOPUS, ProQuest and Science Direct databases were searched to identify outcome measures. Outcome measure content was compared using the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF). Psychometric properties were also systematically searched and compared. This review was prepared according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

A total of 1,311 studies met the inclusion criteria. The most-often used outcome measures for detecting malnutrition or its risk overall were: body mass index (590), albumin (469), Mini Nutritional Assessment (312), haemoglobin (251), and Subjective Global Assessment (139). The most psychometrically sound outcome measure was Mini Nutritional Assessment, but the most comprehensive measure, covering the most ICF categories, was Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, with a total of 58 meaningful concepts.

The results provide an insight into the content and psychometric quality of malnutrition risk and malnutrition outcome measures. There was some variation between the way reviewers linked meaningful concepts to ICF, and literature gaps were identified regarding psychometric properties. These results can be used to help select the most appropriate malnutrition outcome measure.