PREVALENCE OF MALNUTRITION AND MICRONUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES IN OLDER ADULTS WITH ULCERATIVE COLITIS WHO HAVE UNDERGONE BOWEL SURGERY

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND There is little data on the older adult ulcerative colitis (UC) population. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies among older adults who have undergone bowel surgery for their UC. METHODS This was a single-center, retrospective study of patients 65 years and older with UC. Malnutrition was defined using the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) definition. Eight micronutrient deficiencies and nutrition-related outcomes were measured. The Saskatchewan Inflammatory Bowel Disease–Nutrition Risk Tool was utilized to identify patients at risk for malnutrition. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data. Characteristics of patients with and without malnutrition were compared using Fisher’s exact tests (analysis of variance for age). RESULTS Eighty-eight patients with a mean age of 74.7 years were included. The most common surgery was total proctocolectomy with end ileostomy (n=40,45%). Seven patients (8%) met criteria for malnutrition, 24 patients (31%) were moderate to high risk for malnutrition, and 55 (70%) of patients were low risk. Sixty-six patients (74%) had at least one micronutrient deficiency: 42% with vitamin D deficiency and 32% with iron deficiency. One-third of patients had bone-related disease (27 patients). No statistically significant associations were found among patients with or without malnutrition or among patients with low, moderate, or high risk of malnutrition. Our small study, however, likely lacked sufficient power to detect any differences which may exist. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of malnutrition was low, however, the incidence of at least one micronutrient deficiency was high. Older adults with UC who have undergone bowel surgery should be followed carefully with annual labs to avoid nutrition-related complications. Table 1 Characteristics of Older Adults with Ulcerative Colitis who have undergone Surgical Resection Table 2 Rates of Malnutrition and Micronutrient Deficiencies in Older Adult Ulcerative Colitis Population