Abbott unveils new malnutrition screening tool based on latest research existing frameworks

09 Feb 2024 --- Abbott proposes a new malnutrition diagnosis algorithm to overcome issues in patient screening, after evaluating the existing diagnosis framework in a recently published study. Nutrition Insight sits down with Refaat Hegazi, divisional vice president of global medical affairs for Abbott’s nutrition business, to discuss his latest publication that identifies changes in malnutrition screening, the importance of muscle loss as a diagnostic marker and the new algorithm the company proposes

“Malnutrition affects one in three people worldwide. Identifying individuals at nutritional risk as early as possible helps healthcare professionals implement nutritional support,” asserts Hegazi. 

 “Good nutrition is essential to health and wellness, and good health leads to a more sustainable future,” he highlights. “Proper nutrition helps people live healthier, fuller lives and allows them to contribute to their countries and societies in a more productive and rewarding way.”

He explains that important changes in malnutrition screening over the years will significantly impact clinical practice. “It enables clinicians to early-diagnose both etiologies of malnutrition (starvation and disease), assess and compare the prevalence of malnutrition globally and consolidate best practices to prevent and treat it.”

Refaat Hegazi, divisional vice president of global medical affairs for Abbott’s nutrition business.Defining malnutrition
The new study was conducted alongside researchers of the department of food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois, US, and published in Frontiers in Nutrition. The research highlights four significant changes in the diagnosis of malnutrition in adults over the last two decades.

“First, there has been a shift from different definitions and diagnostic criteria to a unified global consensus, notably the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM),” Hegazi outlines. 

“Second, WHO added both obesity — and its related chronic, non-communicable diseases — and micronutrient deficiencies as essential components of defining malnutrition. Undernutrition has always been a well-known and recognized component.” 

The third change he details is that the diagnostic criterion is no longer solely relying on body mass index (BMI) — which he underscores is not as reliable for people who are overweight or obese. Instead, muscle mass is now being incorporated as an important criterion.

“Lastly, the diagnosis of malnutrition highlighted by GLIM shifted from focusing solely on energy and protein energy undernutrition to considering disease-associated inflammation as two major etiological factors of malnutrition,” Hegazi details.

Muscle mass replaces BMI 
The research paper notably discusses the significance of integrating muscle loss as a diagnostic marker of adult malnutrition.

“It highlights the vital role of muscle not only as a structural organ but also for its endocrine, metabolic and immunological functions. We emphasize that muscle loss can occur independent of overall body weight,” argues Hegazi. 

“Health organizations have made significant efforts in recent decades to develop diagnostic criteria to help healthcare professionals identify and address malnutrition.” 

 “The criteria for diagnosing malnutrition varies slightly among consensus frameworks, but what has become more evident — especially in the past decade — is the methodology for measuring muscle mass and defining muscle loss.”

Abbott's proposed malnutrition diagnosis algorithm simultaneously considers micronutrient deficiency, undernutrition and diseases associated with overweight.Malnutrition diagnosis algorithm
The paper proposes a malnutrition diagnosis algorithm that integrates the GLIM and WHO frameworks for diagnosing malnutrition, simultaneously considering micronutrient deficiency, undernutrition and diseases associated with overweight. 

“The integrated malnutrition diagnosis algorithm proposed in the Abbott review leverages strengths of existing frameworks, addresses some limitations of certain criteria like BMI and accounts for micronutrient deficiencies,” Hegazi argues. “A single unified methodology and terminology for diagnosing malnutrition helps healthcare professionals address malnutrition and allows policymakers to address it systematically.” 

He explains that malnutrition is a complex issue that requires collaboration among communities, governments, health organizations and the private sector to play a transformative role in tackling malnutrition in all its forms.

“That’s why Abbott created the Abbott Center for Malnutrition Solutions — a collaboration between Abbott and external experts and partners — to identify, treat and prevent malnutrition. The work of the Center is contributing to one of the Abbott 2030 Sustainability Plan goals to transform care for malnutrition, chronic disease and infectious diseases, and improve the lives of three billion people a year by decade’s end,” signifies Hegazi.

This week, FAO launched its new online portal presenting integrated data on nutrient availability and consumption across 186 countries, aiming to influence policymakers and alleviate malnutrition.

By Milana Nikolova