A state of nutrition in which a deficiency, excess or imbalance of energy, protein and other nutrients causes measurable adverse effects on tissue, body form, function and clinical outcome

MUST - malnutrition universal screening tool

• Includes BMI, weight loss score and acute disease effect score

BMI = weight (kg)/height (m)2

• BMI > 20 = 0 points
• BMI 18.5-20 = 1 point
• BMI > 18.5 = 2 points
• Mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) may be used to estimate BMI category to support your overall impression of the patient’s nutritional risk

Weight loss score

• Unplanned weight loss in past 3-6 months
• % weight loss = (previous weight - current weight) / previous weight x 100

• 5% = 0 points

• 5-10% = 1 point (early indicator of increased risk)

• 10% = 2 points (clinically significant)

Acute disease effect score

• Is the patient acutely ill and has there been or is there likely to be no nutritional intake for > 5 days?
• If no, 0 points
• If yes, 2 points

Calculating overall risk

• Add the three scores together (min = 0, max = 6)