P1039 - LOST APPETITE AND HIDDEN NUTRITIONAL IMPACT SYMPTOMS: FEASIBILITY OF EARLY MALNUTRITION SCREENING AFTER EMERGENCY SURGERY

P1039

LOST APPETITE AND HIDDEN NUTRITIONAL IMPACT SYMPTOMS: FEASIBILITY OF EARLY MALNUTRITION SCREENING AFTER EMERGENCY SURGERY

C. Balle Bech^1,*, J. Brander Hansen¹, J. Bech Knoblauch¹, D. Kokotovic Gellert-Kristensen¹, J. Burcharth¹

¹EMERGE, Herlev Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark

Rationale: Loss of appetite is common after major abdominal surgery. Nutrition impact symptoms (NIS) must be minimized in the treatment of malnutrition. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using the Simplified Nutritional Appetite Questionnaire (SNAQ) and a modified Eating Symptoms Questionnaire (ESQ) in this patient population. 

Methods: This feasibility study included consecutive patients undergoing major emergency abdominal surgery at a Danish University Hospital for one month. Patients were assessed between postoperative days 1 and 3 using SNAQ (score ≤14 indicating risk of malnutrition) and a modified ESQ, classifying NIS into none, mild, or moderate-to-severe. The final ESQ item allowed free-text reporting of additional symptoms. 

Results: All 27 eligible patients completed the questionnaires. The mean SNAQ score was 12.2 (SD 3.4), with 70% (n=19) scoring ≤14, indicating risk of malnutrition. 14 (52%) reported poor or very poor appetite. 20 of 27 patients (74%) reported at least one moderate-to-severe nutrition impact symptom. The median number of reported symptoms per patient was 4 (IQR: 3–6). The most common NIS were dry mouth (85%), constipation (85%), and abdominal pain (70%). Three patients expressed concerns about eating in the free-text section. Patients with SNAQ ≤14 reported significantly more moderate-to-severe symptoms (median 4 vs. 2; p=0.04).

Conclusion: Using SNAQ and ESQ, the risk of malnutrition and nutrition-impact symptoms could be assessed in patients following emergency abdominal surgery. The high prevalence of symptoms underscores the importance of systematic nutritional screening in this vulnerable patient group.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared