Mini Nutritional Assessment:An Evidence Based Screening Tool for Identifying Geriatric Malnutrition

Malnutrition in older adults is associated with complications and premature death. The progression to malnutrition is often insidious and undetected. The nurse plays a key role in prevention and early intervention of nutritional problem. The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) or Mini Nutritional Assessment- Short Form (MNA-SF) is a screening tool used to identify older adults (>60 years) who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. The MNA or MNA-SF is a noninvasive and inexpensive practical evaluation instrument which provides a simple, quick method of identifying older adults who are at risk of malnutrition. The aim of the systematic review is to summarize the available literature on feasibility of MNA for identifying geriatric malnutrition. Computerized searches were performed on the Pubmed, MEDLINE, Google-searches, Cochrane Library databases and also various journals to locate all the articles from 2004 - 2014 on feasibility of MNA and MNA-SF tool for evaluating nutritional status of geriatric people (>60 years). After eliminating the unwanted items based on inclusion and exclusion criteria selected only six studies, which depict specific information about full MNA score and MNA-SF score. This systematic review implies that the MNA and MNA-SF are the most validated and accepted screening tool for geriatric patients, no matter the setting, with clearly defined thresholds. It is the most efficient, simple and appropriate nutritional assessment tool for older people which can detect malnutrition or at risk of malnutrition before severe weight or albumin loss is present. A physician or a dietician, can complete it easily and nurses in few minutes can not only detect malnutrition but also favor early nutritional intervention in order to improve quality of life.