Patient selection: 55 consecutive patients were evaluated with mean age in late 50's, so applies to middle aged and elderly adults.
Parameters:
(1) serum albumin in g/dL
(2) serum transferrin in mg/dL
nutritional index =
= (1.20 * (serum albumin in g/dL)) + (0.013 * (serum transferrin in mg/dL)) - 6.43
where:
• The serum albumin was performed on an SMA-12 (Technicon). The normal range was not specified.
• The serum transferrin was based on immunodiffusion. The normal range was not specified. In Tietz's Clinical Guide to Laboratory Tests the nephelometric method shows different age and gender reference ranges.
Interpretation:
• The decision point for the index was not stated (at least I could not find it stated). I presume that anyone with an index < 0 qualified for nutritional support.
• A serum albumin < 3 g/dL or serum transferrin < 175 mg/dL were associated with need for nutritional support.
The authors also developed a 4 variable index based on serum albumin, serum transferrin, delayed hypersensitivity and triceps skinfold thickness. However, they felt that this performed comparable to the 2 variable index, indicating that the delayed hypersensitivity and triceps skinfold thickness were redundant.
4 variable nutritional index =
= (1.17 * (serum albumin in g/dL)) + (0.012 * (serum transferrin in mg/dL)) - (0.061 * (triceps skinfold thickness in mm)) - (0.75 * (points for delayed hypersensitivity)) - 4.33
where:
• Delayed hypersensitivity was scored 1 if reactive and 2 if anergic.
