Description of the Questionnaire

The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) is a diagnostic tool designed to identify patients who are at risk of malnutrition or are already malnourished. The tool consists of three main questions concerning Body Mass Index (BMI), reduced food intake, and the presence of acute illness with potential nutritional deterioration. Completing the questionnaire takes less than five minutes per patient and is based on observation and simple measurements.

Data Analysis and Use

Each response to the three questions is scored on a 0–2 or 0–3 scale, and the individual scores are added to calculate the total score. Based on the score, appropriate interventions are determined: a score of 0 indicates low risk requiring standard monitoring, a score of 1 indicates medium risk requiring dietary intervention and monitoring, and a score of 2 or more indicates high risk requiring nutritional therapy and specialist follow-up. Data can be recorded in either electronic or paper-based systems and used for monitoring patient progress, supporting clinical decision-making, and conducting statistical population analyses.

Purpose

The main purpose of MUST is to detect, at an early stage, patients who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, to provide a standardized assessment of nutritional status in various clinical and community settings, to support decision-making for interventions, and to assist in monitoring nutritional status over time. It is primarily targeted at adults and the elderly.

Calibration

The calibration of MUST is based on objective measurements such as weight, height, and BMI, as well as subjective assessments of dietary intake and health status, and results in a simple total score ranging from 0 to 6 that defines the level of nutritional risk. The tool has been clinically tested and is widely applied in hospitals, nursing homes, and primary healthcare settings, demonstrating high reliability and ease of use.

Bibliography

Elia M. (2003) – Scientific lead and original author of the MUST tool. Stuurgroep Ondervoeding – Responsible for the Dutch translation and adaptation of the tool.