Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index: Applications and Limitations Publisher



Sanayei M¹ ; Vaghefmehrabany E² ; Vaghefmehrabany L³ Show Affiliations
Source: Factors Affecting Neurological Aging: Genetics# Neurology# Behavior# and Diet Published:2021

Abstract

The growing elderly population of the world is at greater risk of malnutrition due to physical and psychosocial factors. Since malnutrition contributes substantially to morbidity and mortality, it is essential that valid screening tools be applied to timely diagnose and manage malnutrition in the elderly. Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) is a valid and reliable tool for detecting hospitalized elderly at risk of malnutrition, based on serum albumin and the ratio between the present weight and the ideal body weight of the patient. GNRI has also shown high predictive value in terms of mortality or postoperative complications, in cases other than hospitalized elderly, including hemodialysis, heart diseases, some cancers, and critical limb ischemia. However, it is less useful in overweight patients, is affected by hydration and hormonal status, requires laboratory assays and thus isn’t readily applicable in the community setting, and depends on albumin which is an unspecific indicator of malnutrition. © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.