An evaluation of the adapted Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) currently employed within hospice care setting at Dorothy House Hospice in Wiltshire

Abstract

Weight and height measurements are fundamental in the monitoring of normal growth and development, identification of growth and endocrine disorders, examining disease impact, calculation and provision of nutrition support, calculating drug dosage, assessing fluid balance and choosing appropriate clinical and resuscitation equipment. Proxy measures for weight and height, such as mid upper arm circumference, arm span and knee height, have been suggested for use in clinical situations where weight and height cannot be easily measured 1-5. The aim of this study was to identify valid proxy measures that can accurately predict weight and height in healthy school children. Participants, aged 11-18 years, were recruited from post primary schools throughout the island of Ireland. All participants with written parental consent were measured in minimal clothing by two researchers. Measurements recorded included weight, height, mid upper arm circumference, waist circumference, lower leg length, knee height, foot length, upper arm length and arm span. The strength of correlation between weight and height and their potential proxy measures were examined. Strong correlation was observed between weight and mid upper arm circumference (R 2 ¼0.713). Correlation coefficients between height and segmental proxy measures were as follows: upper arm length (R 2 ¼0.355), lower leg length (R 2 ¼0.712), knee height (R 2 ¼0.705), arm span (R 2 ¼0.653) and foot length (R 2 ¼0.605). Prediction equations for weight and height based on the strongest predictive proxy measures were determined. Ă Abstracts / Clinical Nutrition ESPEN 10 (2015) e174ee212 e212