It has been pointed out that there is no “gold standard” for
determining nutritional status because there is no universally
accepted definition of undernutrition.30 Despite this problem, we
agree with the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and
Metabolism guidelines for nutrition screening that it is important
to monitor the patients’ nutritional status.6 In our study, we used
weight loss 3 kg and albumin/prealbumin levels below lower
reference values to assess possible malnutrition. Our results of
an association between weight loss 3 kg and albumin/prealbumin
values below the lower reference value in postacute
stroke care strengthens the view that weight loss 3 kg can be
regarded as a possible marker of malnutrition,5 especially because
weight loss 3 kg was also a marker of poor outcome. A
low serum albumin level has been associated with advanced
atherosclerosis, adding to the prognostic information of other
inflammatory markers, and can therefore be considered an