[Screening and management of malnutrition in internal medicine].

Malnutrition is a common but underestimated condition in the hospital setting. Malnutrition increases in-hospital mortality and complications, and treatment costs. Simple screening tools such as the mini-nutritional assessment and the nutritional risk score allow identifying patients at risk of malnutrition and starting management. Malnutrition management is a multidisciplinary issue including dieticians, physiatrists, nurses, caregivers and doctors. Meal fractioning and oral nutritional supplements (ONS) should be provided. Frequently, micronutrient supplements are also needed. Particular care should be taken to ensure that the patient consumes the meals and ONS prescribed. Follow-up is based on weight and assessment of prealbumin. Malnutrition status should be systematically reported in the discharge letter.