P935 - SYSTEMATIC ORAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT IN HOSPITALIZED, MODERATELY HYPOPHAGIC PATIENTS AT NUTRITIONAL RISK: A RANDOMIZED-CONTROLLED TRIAL.

P935

SYSTEMATIC ORAL NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT IN HOSPITALIZED, MODERATELY HYPOPHAGIC PATIENTS AT NUTRITIONAL RISK: A RANDOMIZED-CONTROLLED TRIAL.

E. Cereda^1,*, E. Mattavelli¹, V. Borioli¹, M. Caraccia¹, F. De Simeis¹, A. Uggè¹, R. Bruno¹, A. G. Corsico¹, A. Di Sabatino¹, P. Pedrazzoli¹, R. Caccialanza¹

¹Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo , Pavia, Italy

Rationale: Acute diseases responsible for hospitalization negatively affect the protein-calorie balance as well as the capacity of the patients to cope with it. In patients still retaining spontaneous feeding, oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are an important strategy but evidence on the timing they should be provided along with nutritional counseling is lacking. We evaluated the efficacy of a systematic use of ONS since hospital admission.

Methods: In a single-site, open-label, randomized, controlled trial (NCT02763904; July 2016 – July 2024), acutely hospitalized adults (N=220) at nutritional risk (NRS-2002≥3), without severe hypophagia (<50% of requirements) and with an expected length of stay (LOS) ≥7 days were randomized to receive ONS systematically since admission or on-demand since day 8. The primary endpoint was the change in phase angle (PhA) on day 8. Secondary outcomes were the change in PhA at discharge and in muscle strength, body weight and protein-calorie intakes over the stay. The LOS and the rate of acquired infections were also evaluated. 

Results: A total of 201 patients were re-assessed at day 8 and discharge. Systematic ONS (n=100) resulted in improved PhA at day 8 (mean difference, 0.47 [95%CI, 0.31-0.62]; P<0.001) and discharge (mean difference, 0.49 [95%CI, 0.33-0.64]; P<0.001). A significant effect was also found for body weight and protein-calorie intake at all time-points (P<0.001) and for muscle strength at discharge (P=0.042). LOS was also reduced (P=0.044).

Conclusion: In acutely hospitalized adults at nutritional risk and without severe hypophagia, the systematic use of ONS since admission improved body composition, muscle function, and protein-calorie intake, and reduced the LOS.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared