A year with the GLIM diagnosis of malnutrition – does it work for older persons?. Issue 1 (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cederholm, Tommy; Barazzoni, Rocco
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in clinical nutrition and metabolic care. Volume 24:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: global leadership initiative on malnutrition -- malnutrition -- older adults; Diet therapy -- Periodicals; Metabolism -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition disorders -- Periodicals; Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; Clinical Medicine -- Periodicals; Metabolism -- Periodicals; Nutrition -- Periodicals; Nutrition Disorders -- Periodicals; Nutritional Support -- Periodicals; 613.2
• DOI: 10.1097/MCO.0000000000000710
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1363-1950

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose of review: In early 2019, the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) concept was published advocating a two-step procedure, that is, screening followed by confirmation of the malnutrition diagnosis requiring a combination of phenotypic and etiologic criteria. This review summarizes 14 publications that have applied the GLIM criteria in older populations. Recent findings: Four studies miss data on muscle mass. The mandatory screening appears missing in some studies. Two studies report that criterion validity is fair to good when compared with Subjective Global Assessment as semigold standard. Most studies report strong predictive validity when mortality is used as outcome. Not unexpectedly malnutrition relates strongly to sarcopenia as low muscle mass is a GLIM criterion. Overall, the lack of guidance on how to assess muscle mass and disease burden/inflammation in the original GLIM publication provides uncertainties on how to interpret the results. Summary: Fourteen exclusively retrospective studies in older adult cohorts are summarized. In several cases, the data sets are imperfect or incomplete. Still, criterion and predictive validity for GLIM appears well acceptable when applied for older adults. Continuing global implementation efforts are justified. The GLIM consortium needs to provide guidance on assessment of muscle mass and disease burden/inflammation. Moreover, further prospective validation studies are needed to add knowledge for the future GLIM format updates.