Clinical case · Malnutrition
Losing weight since her husband died
An 81-year-old woman has lost 7 kg in six months while living alone after a bereavement. Screen, diagnose and grade malnutrition with the GLIM criteria, rule out serious illness and plan treatment.
Beginner 12 minNeeds clinical review
You will learn to
- Use a two-step approach: screen for risk, then diagnose and grade malnutrition with the GLIM criteria
- Recognise red flags that need medical review for serious underlying illness
- Plan treatment that combines oral supplemental nutrition with dietary advice and tackles the causes of poor intake
Presentation
Step 1 of 10An 81-year-old woman comes to clinic with her son, who is worried because her clothes have become loose. Her husband died eight months ago and she now lives alone.
"She says she isn't hungry. Some days she only has tea and biscuits."
References
- Cederholm T, Jensen GL, Correia MITD, et al. GLIM criteria for the diagnosis of malnutrition – A consensus report from the global clinical nutrition community. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2019;10(1):207–217. doi:10.1002/jcsm.12383 · PubMed 30920778
- Integrated care for older people: guidelines on community-level interventions to manage declines in intrinsic capacity. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2017. link
Last updated 2026-10-21.
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