Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Indicators (AAIM) to Diagnose Malnutrition

Study Overview

Malnutrition is a serious health condition that can decrease a person’s quality of life and increase a person’s risk of death. Estimates suggest that 25% to 50% of hospitalized patients have malnutrition and that it is underdiagnosed. Yet no systematic, universally accepted method of diagnosing malnutrition in hospitalized patients exists, which may contribute to under-diagnosis, under-treatment and poorer patient outcomes.

To address this issue, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has conducted a cohort study to assess the predictive validity of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition indicators for the diagnosis of adult and pediatric malnutrition in hospital settings; assess the interrater reliability of the indicators for the diagnosis of adult and pediatric malnutrition; and quantify the level of registered dietitian nutritionist care needed to improve patient outcomes.

This study was funded by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Foundation, the Commission on Dietetic Registration, the Pediatric Nutrition Practice Group, the Clinical Nutrition Management Dietetic Practice Group, and the Renal Dietitians Practice Group.

Status Updates

The Academy and Aspen Indicators of Malnutrition (AAIM) study has been conducted. The rationale and protocol for the study have been published. The tool has been validated in adults and two papers have been published (see below). Several other papers are in the peer review stage and are anticipated to be published by early 2025.

• Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Nutrition Research Network: Rationale and Protocol for a Study to Validate the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Consensus-Derived Diagnostic Indicators For Adult And Pediatric Malnutrition and to Determine Optimal Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Staffing in Acute Care Hospital Settings. J Acad Nutr Diet.
• Predictive validity of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition indicators to diagnose malnutrition tool in hospitalized adults: a cohort study. AJCN.
• Clinical Outcomes Associated With Malnutrition Diagnosed by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Indicators of Malnutrition: A Systematic Review of Content Validity and Meta-Analysis of Predictive Validity. J Acad Nutr Diet.