[The measureable clinical signs of malnutrition: the clinical significance of body composition - bioimpedance - analysis].

Undernutrition, or more precisely: malnutrition results in worse outcome in clinical practice. Recognition and treatment of different forms of malnutrition are not unconditionally easy in the daily routine, however, it could lead to significant improvement in the outcome. This review summarizes the most frequent forms of malnutrition and demonstrates the advantages of the systematic use of bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients undergoing chronic treatment either in hospitals or outpatient care. The importance of the method is still underestimated in Hungary as well as many other countries.