The accuracy of the GLIM criteria to Assess nutritional status in inpatients with cancer and predict nutritional status and quality of life changes during and post hospital discharge – the MAP-study

This is a prospective observational cohort study aimed to answer the following questions:
(1) Are the GLIM diagnostic criteria accurate for diagnosing malnutrition compared to the PG-SGA in cancer patients?
(2) Are GLIM criteria and PG-SGA able to predict changes in nutritional status and quality of life during admission and one month post discharge?
To address the research questions, this study compares the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria for the diagnosis of malnutrition against the gold standard malnutrition assessment tool the Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). The study will demonstrate the level of agreement of the GLIM criteria which includes objective phenotypic assessments of muscle mass and muscle strength using bioelectrical-impendence spectroscopy (BIS), and handgrip strength, against the gold standard tool (PG-SGA). Reduced muscle mass is a phenotypic criteria with strong evidence to support its inclusion in the GLIM criteria, however there no consensus regarding how best to measure and define reduced muscle mass. In our study we are going to measure using validated instruments for muscle mass using BIA, and muscle strength using handgrip strength test. Moreover, the study will measure patient’s quality of life and nutrition status on admission, biweekly follow-up and 1-month after discharge from hospital to identify whether these nutrition assessment tools can predict patient’s quality of life over time.

Weight loss and malnutrition are common in people with cancer. In this study, we are comparing new criteria for the diagnosis of malnutrition (the GLIM criteria) with commonly used criteria by dieticians: the PG-SGA.
We also want to investigate whether malnutrition is associated with quality of life 1 month after hospital discharge.
For this purpose, we assess weight loss and muscle mass, handgrip strength and mid upper arm circumference as well as the PG-SGA at hospital admission, and 1 month after hospital discharge, quality of life and malnutrition status will be assessed via a phone call.

1. Are the GLIM diagnostic criteria for malnutrition accurate for diagnosing malnutrition compared to the PG-SGA in cancer patients?
2. Are the GLIM diagnostic criteria more accurate in predicting changes in patients’ nutritional status and quality of life during admission and 1 month after discharge than the PG-SGA?

Accracy of GLIM critter for diagnosing malnutrition, changes over time (during admission and at 1 month post discharge)