Nutritional Status by MNA-SF Scoring and Its Association with Extraintestinal Manifestations of Crohn's Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Malnutrition and extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) are frequent complications in Crohn's disease (CD) that significantly impair quality of life. The Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form (MNA-SF) is a practical tool for nutritional screening and assessment. However, data on the link between nutritional status and EIMs in Bangladeshi patients with CD are limited.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate nutritional status using the MNA-SF and explore its association with the presence of EIMs.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 127 CD patients at a tertiary care university hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh, from January to December 2024. Nutritional status was evaluated using the MNA-SF questionnaire, and EIMs were assessed via a comprehensive clinical examination and questionnaire.

Results: The study found that 42.5% of patients were malnourished, and 10.2% were at risk of malnutrition. EIMs were observed in 44.9% of patients and were significantly more common in active disease compared to remission (63.5% vs. 26.6%, p<0.001). Although patients with EIMs had higher rates of malnutrition (49.1% vs. 37.1%), this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.210).

Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of both malnutrition and EIMs in Bangladeshi patients with CD. The considerable overlap between nutritional deficiency and systemic inflammatory complications, especially during active disease, emphasises the importance of integrated patient care. Routine nutritional screening and management should be included in CD management to address deficiencies that increase the overall disease burden.