59 PCN Malnutrition Categories

Category Albumin Prealbumin Ideal Body Weight Usual Body Weight BMI
Severe < 2.0 g/dl < 5.0 mg/dl <70% <75% or * <16
Moderate < 2.5 g/dl < 10.0 mg/dl <80% <85% <17
Mild < 3.0 g/dl < 15.0 mg/dl <90% <95% <18.5
  • *unintended weight loss of > 5% in one month, >7.5% in 3 months, >10% in 6 months, or >20% in one year
  • “chronic” malnutrition is defined as a duration of three months or more.
  • At least two indicators should be present in addition to physical findings and high-risk clinical circumstances. Albumin and prealbumin should be considered one indicator, not two.

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Reference Notes for Palliative Care Consultation Copyright © 2018 by Robert F. Johnson MD, MEd is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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