EFFECTS OF NUTRITION STATUS AND PERIOPERATIVE NUTRITION SUPPLEMENT COMPLETION ON POSTOPERATIVE OUTCOMES IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE UNDERGOING SURGERY

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND Malnutrition is common in inflammatory bowel disease, (IBD) and is associated with poor disease activity, greater hospital length of stay (LOS), higher 30-day readmission rates, and increased risk of postoperative complications. Structured, multimodal prehabilitation including nutrition counseling improves various outcomes after elective cancer and orthopedic surgeries. We examined the effects of malnutrition and perioperative nutrition supplementation on surgical outcomes in IBD patients participating in a multimodal prehabilitation program. METHODS This was a retrospective study of patients aged 18-80 enrolled in a 10-week prehabilitation program undergoing surgery for IBD. Beginning 4 weeks prior to surgery, patients met with a multidisciplinary team including a nurse practitioner, physical therapist and registered dietitian. Patients were provided 3 preoperative carbohydrate loading oral nutrition supplements (ONS) 48 hours prior to surgery, and 20 perioperative immunonutrition ONS. Malnutrition was defined using the Global Leadership in Malnutrition criteria as moderate or severe. We used Fisher’s exact test to determine associations between malnutrition, ONS use, and postoperative complications (defined by the comprehensive complication index (CCI, with CCI scores >20 classified as severe)), and 30-day readmission. Logistic and linear regression were used to analyze length of stay (LOS), opioid use (defined as morphine milligram equivalents, MME), nutrition status, and ONS completion. RESULTS 25 patients (48% female, mean age 44, 18 (72%) with Crohn’s disease) completed the prehabilitation program between 05/2022 and 10/2023. 10 patients (40%) met criteria for malnutrition (of these, 50% were moderate and 50% severe). Malnutrition was not significantly associated with CCI severity (p=0.07), LOS (p =0.07), opioid use (p=0.07) or 30 day readmission rates (0.06). Higher ONS use for carbohydrate loading and immunonutrition were more likely to have a LOS<5 days (p=0.05 and p=0.03 respectively). CONCLUSION ONS for preoperative carbohydrate loading and perioperative immunonutrition may shorten LOS after surgery among patients with IBD. In our study, higher amounts of ONS consumption led to a shorter LOS. Larger, controlled studies will help to further clarify the effects of malnutrition, carbohydrate loading, and immunonutrition among patients with IBD preparing for surgery.