PD284 - CLINICAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF GASTROINTESTINAL DYSFUNCTION IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS: A REAL-WORLD DATA STUDY

PD284

CLINICAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF GASTROINTESTINAL DYSFUNCTION IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS: A REAL-WORLD DATA STUDY

I. Buonso^1,*, M. C. Bailer¹, K. Kroth², V. Marzagão², V. Rosenfeld²

¹Hospital Samaritano Higienópolis, ²Nestlé, São Paulo, Brazil

Rationale:  Gastrointestinal dysfunction (GID) is associated with poor outcomes, and its economic impact remains limited. This study aims to assess its clinical and economic impact.

Methods: This retrospective observational study included adult ICU patients requiring mechanical ventilation (MV) and enteral nutrition in a private hospital in São Paulo, Brazil (October 2025–March 2026). Gastrointestinal symptoms were defined as the occurrence of at least one symptom (nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhea, or constipation). Patients were grouped as with GI dysfunction (G1) or without GI dysfunction (G2). Clinical characteristics, nutrition therapy variables, and hospital costs (including costs of daily hospital stay, procedures, and medications) were collected and analysed.  

Results: A total of 34 patients were included (G1:n=15;G2:n=19). Admission diagnoses were predominantly respiratory in both groups (G1 and G2: 26%). G1 had longer ICU stay (+3 days), longer duration of MV (+4.3 days), longer duration of nutritional therapy (+2.1 days), and higher mortality (7 vs. 2). Combined enteral and parenteral nutrition was more frequent in G1 (20% vs. 10.5%). Hospital costs were 20.7% higher in G1 (EUR 52,562 vs. 43,531). 

Conclusion: Patients with GI dysfunction showed impaired nutritional delivery, worse clinical outcomes, and higher hospital costs. Early recognition and appropriate management may help improve outcomes and optimize healthcare resource use. 

References: Reintam Blaser A, Padar M, Mändul M, Elke G, Engel C, Fischer K, Giabicani M, Gold T, Hess B, Hiesmayr M, Jakob SM, Loudet CI, Meesters DM, Mongkolpun W, Paugam-Burtz C, Poeze M, Preiser JC, Renberg M, Rooijackers O, Tamme K, Wernerman J, Starkopf J. Development of the Gastrointestinal Dysfunction Score (GIDS) for critically ill patients - A prospective multicenter observational study (iSOFA study). Clin Nutr. 2021 Aug;40(8):4932-4940. 

Disclosure of Interest: I. Buonso: None declared, M. Bailer: None declared, K. Kroth Other: Nestlé full time employees , V. Marzagão Other: Nestlé full time employees , V. Rosenfeld Other: Nestlé full time employees