This report presents the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria, aimed at standardizing malnutrition diagnosis worldwide. The initiative, supported by major clinical nutrition societies, establishes a two-step diagnostic approach.
Key findings:
Step 1: Identify “at risk” status using any validated screening tool.
Step 2: Confirm malnutrition diagnosis using phenotypic and etiologic criteria.
Phenotypic criteria: Weight loss, low BMI, reduced muscle mass.
Etiologic criteria: Reduced food intake or assimilation, inflammation/disease burden.
Malnutrition is categorized into four etiology-based subtypes, ensuring appropriate intervention strategies.
Regular reassessment every 3-5 years is recommended to refine criteria and adapt to clinical advances.
This global consensus provides a standardized, clinically relevant framework to improve malnutrition diagnosis and treatment.
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