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Summary Background UK NICE guidelines, state that patients attending an outpatient clinic for the first time, should be screened for malnutrition. Aims To determine the prevalence of malnutrition in the medical and surgical gastroenterology outpatient department (OPD) using body mass index (BMI) and % weight loss (%WL) and to assess the physicians'/surgeons' response to malnutrition being detected. Methods The BMI and the %WL were determined for every patient over a 2 week period before the clinician saw the patient. The BMI and %WL were scored as in the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). Results 605 patients (316 females) of mean age 54 years were included. 150 (25%) were new patients. 519 (86%) had a normal BMI and %WL. 86 (14%) had a BMI Conclusions The prevalence of malnutrition in medical and surgical gastrointestinal outpatients was 14%. IBD and cancer patients had the highest prevalence. Most patients with malnutrition (52, 61%) were not being seen by a dietitian.

Introduction UK NICE guidelines, state that patients attending an outpatient clinic for the first time, should be screened for malnutrition. 1 30% of inpatients are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, 2 however the prevalence of malnutrition in outpatients, especially those with gastro-intestinal (GI) illnesses has not been assessed. Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition in the outpatient department (OPD) using body mass index (BMI) and% weight loss (%WL) and to assess the physicians’/surgeons’ response malnutrition being detected. Method The BMI and the WL were determined for every patient for a 2 week period and the results put in the notes immediately before the clinician’s entry. The BMI and WL were scored as in the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). The demographic data, underlying disease and action taken were recorded. Data were statistically analysed using the chi-square test. Results 605 patients (316 females) of mean age 54 years were included. 150 (25%) were new patients, 223 (37%) had previous abdominal surgery, 208 (34%) had inflammatory bowel disease, 73 (12%) had anorectal issues, 54 (9%) upper GI symptoms or conditions, 44 (7%) cancer and 33 (6%) had liver disease. 214 patients (35%) had co-morbidities: 107 (18%) cardiovascular, 91 (15%) endocrine, 45 (7%) musculoskeletal or connective tissue disorders, 38 (6%) respiratory, 21 (4%) non GI malignancies,19 (3%) neurological and 10 (2%) psychiatric co-morbidities. 519 participants (86%) had a normal BMI and%WL. 86 (14%) had a BMI Conclusion The risk of malnutrition in our outpatient department is 14%. IBD and cancer patients have a higher prevalence. Most patients with malnutrition (52, 61%) are not being seen by a dietitian. Disclosure of interest None Declared. References NICE, Quality standard for nutrition support in adults. 2012 Vera Todorovic CR, Marinos Elia, The MUST explanatory booklet. A guide to the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) for adults