Subjective global assessment of nutritional status in cardiac patients.

Objective: To analyze the performance of Subjective Global Assessment of Nutritional Status (SGA) in diagnosing malnutrition in patients with heart disease.

Methods: One hundred and six hospitalized patients (53 with heart failure) completed an SGA questionnaire on their nutritional history (changes in body weight, dietary intake, gastrointestinal symptoms, functional capacity, and diagnosis) and underwent physical examination. Then, anthropometric measurements were obtained (body weight, mid-arm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness, and arm muscle circumference).