Relationship between nutritional treatment compliance and nutritional status improvements in patients with gastrointestinal impairment taking an oral peptide-based supplement.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Compliance in outpatients with gastrointestinal (GI) malabsorption is key in nutritional treatment. The objective of this study was to assess compliance in patients with GI impairment and malnutrition taking a high-calorie, high-protein, peptide-based oral nutritional supplement (ONS-PBD). METHODS: A prospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted in 19 medical sites in Spain where ONS-PBD were prescribed as standard of care. Patients consumed ONS-PBD daily for 12 wk. Compliance was calculated as the percentage consumed of the prescribed amount of ONS per day. RESULTS: A total of 90 adult patients were included in the study, of whom 64 completed the 12-wk regimine. Mean compliance was 78.8% ± 24.5%. Risk of malnutrition decreased in 56.3% of patients at 12 wk, as measured with the malnutrition universal screening tool. A reduction in abdominal pain was observed and stool consistency improved, with a mean of 54.7% and 27.5%, respectively. Improvements in quality of life and a decrease in percentage of patients with severe functional impairment were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that ONS-PBD compliance in malnourished patients with GI symptoms is high, reducing GI symptoms and improving patients' nutritional status.