Nutritional Risk in Patients with IBD: Results from a National Survey

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Nutrition
• Public Health

Background:

• Malnutrition is a significant, often overlooked, complication in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).
• Limited data exists on nutritional risk in non-hospitalized IBD patients.
• This study investigates nutritional risk indicators in Italian IBD patients and their associations with symptoms and care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess nutritional risk in a cohort of Italian IBD patients.
• To explore the relationship between nutritional risk, symptoms, and clinical factors.
• To evaluate access to nutritional care and counseling among IBD patients.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to 705 IBD patients.
• The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) was used to assess nutritional risk.
• Data on BMI, weight loss, dietary restrictions, symptoms, and nutritional counseling were collected.

Main Results:

• 43% of IBD patients were at moderate or high risk of malnutrition (MUST ≥ 2).
• Low BMI and unintentional weight loss were prevalent (22-25%).
• 30% restricted diets due to symptom fears; only 21.7% received nutritional counseling, even among those at high risk.

Conclusions:

• A substantial proportion of IBD patients in this sample exhibit indicators of nutritional risk.
• Significant gaps exist in outpatient nutritional assessment and patient education.
• Accessible, structured nutritional support is crucial for addressing unmet needs in IBD care.