Free tool for APDs
Malnutrition screening MUST and MST
Two validated malnutrition screening tools as live calculators. Enter the details to see the score breakdown, the risk category and short guidance as you type. Screening only, not a diagnosis.
Screening only, not diagnostic or clinical advice.
MUST is © BAPEN and MST (Ferguson et al) are validated screening tools that are free to use. A screening result is not a diagnosis. Confirm any positive screen with a full nutrition assessment and follow your local policy. This tool runs entirely in your browser and no data is sent anywhere.
MUST adds a BMI score, an unplanned weight loss score and an acute disease effect score. Weight loss is over the past 3 to 6 months.
Percentage lost over the past 3 to 6 months. Leave blank if none or unknown.
MUST result
Enter the details to see the risk category and guidance.
MST is a two-question screen. It adds an appetite score and an unintentional weight loss score.
MST result
Enter the details to see the risk category and guidance.
Spend the time on the patient
AI Dietitians has 20+ clinical calculators and the full NCP. Start free.
Screening, assessment, PES diagnosis, meal plans and chart-ready notes for Australian dietitians. No card required.
FAQ
Malnutrition screening questions.
What is the MUST score?
MUST is the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool from BAPEN. It adds three step scores: a BMI score (BMI over 20 scores 0, 18.5 to 20 scores 1, under 18.5 scores 2), an unplanned weight loss score (under 5 percent scores 0, 5 to under 10 percent scores 1, 10 percent or more scores 2), and an acute disease effect score (2 if the person is acutely ill and there has been or is likely to be no nutritional intake for more than 5 days). A total of 0 is low risk, 1 is medium risk, and 2 or more is high risk. Screening only, confirm with a full nutrition assessment.
What does a MUST score of 2 mean?
A MUST total of 2 or more is high risk of malnutrition. The BAPEN guidance is to treat: refer to a dietitian or nutrition support team or follow local policy, set goals to improve and increase overall nutritional intake, and monitor and review the care plan. This is a screening result, not a diagnosis, so it should trigger a full nutrition assessment rather than replace one.
MUST vs MST, what is the difference?
Both are validated malnutrition screening tools. MUST (BAPEN) uses measured BMI, unplanned weight loss percentage and an acute disease effect, which makes it useful when height and weight are available. MST (Ferguson and colleagues) uses just two questions, recent appetite and unintentional weight loss, so it is quick and does not need measured height, which suits busy acute wards. A MUST total of 2 or more is high risk; an MST total of 2 or more is at risk. Both point to a full nutrition assessment.
What is a positive MST score?
MST adds an appetite score (1 if appetite has decreased, otherwise 0) and a weight loss score (0 for none, 1 for 1 to 5 kg, 2 for 6 to 10 kg or if unsure, 3 for 11 to 15 kg, 4 for more than 15 kg). A total of 2 or more means the person is at risk of malnutrition and should be referred to a dietitian for a comprehensive nutrition assessment. Screening only, follow your local policy.
Are MUST and MST free to use?
MUST is copyright BAPEN and is free to use for screening. MST was developed by Ferguson and colleagues and is a validated, freely available screening tool. Both are screening tools, not diagnostic tools, so a positive result should be followed by a full nutrition assessment and managed under your local policy.
Every answer is general information only. MUST and MST are screening tools, not diagnostic tools. Confirm a positive screen with a full nutrition assessment and follow your local policy.