The effect of nutritional support on clinical disease progress and malnutrition in inflammatory bowel patients

Abstract Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at continuous risk of malnutrition, which significantly impacts their prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a high-protein diet (HPD) and a high-protein enteral-supplemented diet on disease severity and nutritional status in IBD patients. Forty-eight IBD patients with malnutrition (18–64 years) were assigned to a HPD ( n 24) or a high-protein enteral-supplemented diet ( n 24) for 12 weeks. Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS-2002), disease activity (CDAI/Mayo) and anthropometric parameters were evaluated at baseline, week 6 and week 12. In the overall study population, significant differences were found between baseline NRS-2002 and disease severity scores ( p < 0·001). Across all study participants, the prevalence of severe malnutrition decreased from 79·2 % to 45·8 %, and all scale scores declined by the end of the study. In the HPD group, NRS decreased from 2·75 ( sd 0·79) to 2·17 ( sd 0·48) and in the enteral-supplemented group from 3·38 ( sd 0·58) to 2·92 ( sd 0·72) ( p < 0·001). Both groups gained weight, with greater increase in the enteral-supplemented group (6·24 ( sd 1·70) kg v . 3·55 ( sd 1·72) kg, p < 0·001). Planned dietary interventions were found to have a positive impact on both disease progression and malnutrition. When high-protein content is supported by enteral products, dietary therapy may be more effective.