Validation of a Screening Tool to Identify Undernutrition in Ambulatory @entity1 With XXXX .

@entity1 @entity409 @entity2915 @entity3147 @entity1575
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of @entity409 is increasing in the United States. @entity3147 is common as @entity409 progresses. However, an accepted method to screen these @entity1 for @entity3147 is lacking. The 6-question undernutrition screening tool was developed for professionals without nutrition training to identify a decline in the nutrition status of @entity1 with @entity1575 . A 3-phase validation study was completed to assess face, content, and clinical validity of the screening tool in ambulatory @entity1 with @entity1575 . METHODS: In phase I, face validity was determined by surveying 13 @entity409 professionals. In phase II, content validity was assessed by surveying 12 registered dietitians who specialize in @entity409 . In phase III, a cross-sectional investigation was completed to compare the agreement between the undernutrition screening tool and nutrition assessment by a registered dietitian (RD). RESULTS: Twenty-two @entity1 with a diagnosis of @entity1575 participated in phase III of the investigation. The RD assessment identified undernutrition in 82% of @entity1 (95% CI, 60%-95%). The k statistic indicated a fair agreement between the screening tool and RD assessment. Sensitivity and specificity of the tool were 72% and 75%, respectively, and positive predictive value was 93%. CONCLUSIONS: Feedback from phase I, II, and III indicate that the undernutrition screening tool is simple, is easy to use, and measures the constructs that have the strongest link with @entity409 . Additional minor adjustments to the screening tool and a multicenter investigation are indicated to confirm clinical effectiveness and @entity2915 of the tool.
