The study assesses the clinical and economic burden of malnutrition in hospitalized patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)—Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—in Italy, estimating the costs and outcomes associated with the use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS).
A retrospective analysis conducted on the national SDO database (2015–2019) shows that malnutrition in patients with IBD is associated with higher in-hospital mortality (+1.8%), longer hospital stays (+14 days), and an increase in readmissions (+0.55/year), with a total cost per malnourished patient 66.6% higher than that of a non-malnourished patient.
The cost-outcome analysis shows that treating 30% of patients with IBD and moderate-to-severe malnutrition with ONS could reduce hospitalizations by 10% and generate savings for the National Health Service of approximately €29.7 million (–8.7%), highlighting the value of clinical nutrition as a preventive strategy in the course of treatment.
Authors:
- Valentina Pagella — Lionhealth S.B.; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan
- 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
- Paolo Sciattella — CEIS-EEHTA, University of Rome Tor Vergata
