P496 Interdisciplinary student-led screening clinics can identify undernutrition, sarcopenia and mental health risk in ambulatory patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract

Abstract Background The changing landscape of allied health practice has led to the emergence of student-led clinics as a resource to enable workforce capacity. Undernutrition, sarcopenia, and poor mental health are common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and affect quality of life. Despite high prevalence, these co-morbidities are under-recognised due to lack of service capacity. This study aimed to determine the frequency of undernutrition, reduced physical performance and mental health risk identified by a novel student-led interdisciplinary screening clinic in ambulatory patients with IBD. Methods Sixteen final year dietetic, physiotherapy or exercise physiology students conducted 5-10 weekly half day interdisciplinary outpatient clinics within a tertiary IBD service between July and October 2023. Following training, students completed all aspects of the interdisciplinary consult under direct dietetic supervision. Risk screening assessments comprised of anthropometrics, depression anxiety and stress scale-21 (DASS21), subjective global assessment (SGA), short physical performance battery (SPPB), handgrip strength (HGS) and inflammatory bowel disease-nutrition screening tool (IBD-NST). Consecutive patients attending a tertiary IBD outpatient service were contacted to participate in the clinic following their gastroenterology appointment. Descriptive statistics were completed, and prevalence is presented as number (n) and percentage. Results Screening assessments were completed for 88 patients in the 15-week period (Table1). Patient acceptance was high with 86% of patients approached consenting to participate. High hip to waist ratio was present in 68% (n=60/88) of patients suggestive of visceral adiposity (Figure 1a). The IBD-NST identified mild nutrition risk in 5% (n=4/88) of patients and generated a referral to dietetics with a moderate nutrition risk in 21% (n=19/88) of patients (Figure 1b). Malnutrition was detected in 10% (n=8/88) of the patient population (Figure 1c). Mental health risk was elevated in 63% (n=50/79) of patients screened (Figure 1e, f, g). Physical impairment was present in 52% (n=46/88) of patients (Figure 1h &1i). The screening clinic generated 48 referrals through to varied allied health disciplines for individualised therapy. Conclusion A student-led interdisciplinary screening clinic ensures timely identification of patient risk for undernutrition, sarcopenia and poor mental health, improving access to early intervention opportunities. Students can act as a valuable enabler for workforce capacity at a time when the health service providers are stretched.