RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VARIOUS NUTRITION SCREENING TOOLS AND MORTALITY AMONG GERIATRIC PATIENTS ADMITTED TO THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Introduction: Various scoring systems (modified Nutrition Risk in Critically ill, Nutritional Risk Screening 2002, Nutritional Risk Index, Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, and Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool) are used to evaluate nutrition in patients admitted to the intensive care unit. This study examined the relationship between 5 screening scores and mortality on day 1 of intensive care unit admission. Materials and Method: This observational, prospective study was approved by the local Ethics Committee (FSMEAH-KAEK-2021/60).Data from 103 patients, hospitalized in the intensive care unit> 24 h between June 1 and September 30, 2021, were included. Informed consent was provided by their relatives, and 5 different nutrition scores were recorded on day 1 of intensive care unit hospitalization. Correlations between mortality and scores were examined, and mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit hospitalization days were compared between low- and high-risk patients in both score groups Results: According to the modified Nutrition Risk in Critically ill score, mortality rate, intensive care unit length of stay, and duration of mechanical ventilation were significantly higher among high-risk patients than those in low-risk patients. As risk increased with the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool score, an increase in mortality was observed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves for mortality were greatest for the modified Nutrition Risk in Critically ill score and Nutritional Risk Index scores. Conclusion: The modified Nutrition Risk in Critically ill and Nutritional Risk Index scores were the most effective predictors of mortality among geriatric patients admitted to the intensive care unit and may be used according to clinician preference. Keywords: Geriatrics; Intensive Care Unit; Mortality; Nutrition Assessment.