The study analyzes the clinical and economic burden of malnutrition in hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—in Italy, using real-world data from the national SDO database (2015–2019).
Of the 64,307 patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of IBD between 2015 and 2018, only 3.1% had a diagnosis of malnutrition—a percentage markedly lower than that reported in the literature (13–26%), suggesting significant underdiagnosis or undercoding at the national level. Malnourished patients had higher in-hospital mortality (+1.8%), longer hospital stays (+14 days), and more readmissions (+0.55/year), with a total cost per patient 66.6% higher than that of non-malnourished patients.
The study provides the first Italian evidence on the economic impact of malnutrition in IBD and highlights how targeted clinical nutrition interventions—including the use of ONS (oral nutritional supplements)—can serve as an effective strategy for optimizing the use of healthcare resources in Italy.
Authors:
- Chiara Bini — CEIS-EEHTA, University of Rome Tor Vergata
- Matteo Scortichini — CEIS-EEHTA, University of Rome Tor Vergata
- Elena P. Lanati — CEO & Founder of Lionhealth Società Benefit
- Valentina Pagella — Lionhealth S.B.; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan
- Paolo Sciattella — CEIS-EEHTA, University of Rome Tor Vergata
