PD340 - SEX DIFFERENCES IN NUTRITIONAL RISK IN GASTROENTEROLOGY: NRS-2002 ANALYSIS IN AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

PD340

SEX DIFFERENCES IN NUTRITIONAL RISK IN GASTROENTEROLOGY: NRS-2002 ANALYSIS IN AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

L. Pozzi^1,*, D. Giustozzi², L. Elli¹, F. Caprioli¹

¹Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico di Milano, ²Università degli Studi di Milano , Milano , Italy

Rationale: Sex differences in malnutrition prevalence and clinical presentation remain understudied, particularly in gastroenterology wards. Recent data indicate a higher malnutrition prevalence in women compared to men (34.9% vs 28.6%), despite different diagnostic distributions. NRS-2002 is the ESPEN gold standard for nutritional screening. Aim: to analyse sex differences in nutritional risk prevalence, LOS, haematological parameters, and diagnostic case-mix in a Gastroenterology population.

Methods: Retrospective observational study (n=290 patients; 179M, 111F) conducted in the Gastro-Hepatology and Gastro-Endoscopy wards of Policlinico di Milano (June 2023–2024). Variables analysed: NRS-2002, LOS, BMI, haemoglobin, categorised diagnoses. Analyses: Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square, Spearman correlation, multivariate logistic and linear regression stratified by sex.

Results: Females had a significantly higher NRS ≥ 3 prevalence than males (22.5% vs 10.6%; χ²=6.65; p=0.010). Median NRS score was higher in females (median 2.0 vs 1.0; p<0.001). Median LOS was significantly longer in females (9 vs 5 days; p<0.001). Haemoglobin was lower in females (11.0 vs 11.9 g/dL; p=0.003) and BMI was also lower (22.1 vs 24.5 kg/m²; p=0.016). Males had a higher proportion of oncological diagnoses (36.9% vs 17.1%; p<0.001) and cirrhosis (38.5% vs 16.2%; p<0.001); females had a relative excess of IBD (14.4% vs 8.4%). NRS-LOS correlation was significant in both sexes (males ρ=0.244, p=0.001; females ρ=0.245, p=0.010).

Conclusion: Females in Gastroenterology show significantly higher nutritional risk and longer LOS than males, independently of differences in diagnostic case-mix. The higher-risk profile in females is associated with lower BMI and haemoglobin. These results support the adoption of sex-differentiated nutritional screening strategies, with particular attention to female patients in gastroenterology wards.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared