MNA-SF screening and GLIM diagnosis of malnutrition in geriatric patients – A cross-sectional multicenter study

Lemberger S, Gehrke I, Roigk P, Schröer W, Speer R, Heppner HJ, Singler K, Willschrei P, Wirth R, Volkert D (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging Springer Verlag

Book Volume: 30

Article Number: 100878

Journal Issue: 7

DOI: 10.1016/j.jnha.2026.100878

Abstract

Objectives To examine the relationship between the Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF) screening for malnutrition and the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) diagnosis and the difference between the globally agreed GLIM two-step approach with prior screening (GLIMs+) and the alternative one-step approach without prior screening (GLIMs−) in a large group of geriatric patients. Design and setting Cross-sectional multicenter study in eight geriatric institutions in Germany. Participants 681 geriatric patients. Measurements Patient characteristics, MNA-SF and GLIM criteria were assessed in all patients using standardized questionnaires based on routine geriatric assessments. Malnutrition prevalence rates, Cohen’s kappa and diagnostic test parameters were calculated to compare MNA-SF results with GLIMs− and GLIMs− with GLIMs+. Results 88.1 % of all patients (83 ± 6.7 years; 68.0 % women) were MNA-SF positive (38.8 % malnourished, 49.3 % at risk). GLIMs− malnutrition was diagnosed in 44.6 %, GLIMs+ in 43.5 % of all patients. 8 patients (1.2 %) were normal according to MNA-SF and malnourished according to GLIMs− (false negative). Sensitivity of MNA-SF compared to GLIMs− was 0.97, specificity 0.19. Sensitivity of GLIMs− compared to GLIMs+ was 1.00, specificity 0.98. Cohen’s kappa indicated slight agreement between MNA-SF and GLIMs− (κ = 0.153) and near-perfect agreement between GLIMs− and GLIMs+ (κ = 0.976). Conclusion The very good agreement between GLIMs− and GLIMs+ may argue in favor of direct GLIM diagnosis without prior screening, but prior MNA-SF screening saved the effort of GLIM testing in 12 % of all patients with only very few false negatives and also identifies the large group of at-risk patients who may benefit from preventive interventions.

Authors with CRIS profile

Katrin Singler Medizinische Fakultät Dorothee Volkert Professur für Klinische Ernährung im Alter

Involved external institutions

Sana Kliniken AG DE Germany (DE) Klinikverbund Südwest (Sindelfingen-Böblingen, Calw, Nagold, Leonberg, Herrenberg) DE Germany (DE) Robert-Bosch-Krankenhaus DE Germany (DE) Klinikum Nürnberg DE Germany (DE) Klinikum Bayreuth DE Germany (DE) St. Elisabeth Gruppe GmbH - Katholische Kliniken Rhein-Ruhr DE Germany (DE) Evangelische Kliniken Essen-Mitte DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Lemberger, S., Gehrke, I., Roigk, P., Schröer, W., Speer, R., Heppner, H.J.,... Volkert, D. (2026). MNA-SF screening and GLIM diagnosis of malnutrition in geriatric patients – A cross-sectional multicenter study. Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, 30(7). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnha.2026.100878

MLA:

Lemberger, Stefanie, et al. "MNA-SF screening and GLIM diagnosis of malnutrition in geriatric patients – A cross-sectional multicenter study." Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging 30.7 (2026).

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