When metabolic comorbidities and risk of malnutrition coexist: The new era of inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Background

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and risk of malnutrition can coexist in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We performed a malnutrition risk assessment as part of the standard follow-up of IBD patients and studied the potential risk factors for being at risk of malnutrition based on the presence or absence of MASLD.

Methods

The Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) was used to screen malnutrition risk (MUST ≥1) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP ≥248 dB/min) to assess MASLD. Adherence to a Mediterranean diet, physical activity, and quality of life were also assessed.

Results

Of 686 evaluated IBD patients, 130 (18.9%) were identified as being at risk of malnutrition. Patients without MASLD (n = 89 [68.5%]) were more likely to be at risk than those with MASLD (n = 41 [31.5%], p = 0.005). However, among patients at risk of malnutrition, those with MASLD were more likely to have active IBD (82.9%) than patients without MASLD (39.3%, p < 0.001). Female sex (OR 1.984, p = 0.027) and young age (OR 1.014, p = 0.006) were associated with malnutrition risk only in patients with IBD without MASLD. Being at risk of malnutrition was associated with worse quality of life (p < 0.001), especially in IBD patients with MASLD.

Conclusions

Malnutrition risk and quality of life are modified by the presence of MASLD in IBD patients.