Abstract Background Malnutrition and sarcopenia are increasingly recognized as frequent and clinically relevant complications in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recent studies have reported malnutrition rates up to 65–75% and sarcopenia prevalence as high as 70%, both conditions being associated with higher hospitalization rates, surgery risk, and poorer quality of life. To evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition and sarcopenia in a cohort of hospitalized IBD patients, exploring correlations according to disease type and pharmacological treatment. Methods A cross-sectional study including 65 adult IBD patients (43.1% ulcerative colitis UC, 56.9% Crohn’s disease CD; mean age 47.6 ± 19.4 years). Nutritional assessment included screening tools (NRS-2002, MNA, GLIM criteria), body composition analysis via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and muscle strength evaluation through handgrip test. Results A high prevalence of malnutrition was observed: 47.7% of patients were at nutritional risk (NRS-2002), 72.3% met GLIM criteria, and 18.5% presented severe malnutrition. Sarcopenia affected 20% of the cohort, with muscle mass reductions ranging from 15.4% to 27.7%. UC patients showed higher overweight prevalence (50% vs 24.3%, p = 0.03) and muscle strength impairment (32.1% vs 8.1%, p = 0.01). Patients receiving biological therapy had a lower prevalence of phase angle 5 (15.3% vs 41.0%, p = 0.02) and a trend toward reduced severe malnutrition (7.7% vs 25.6%, p = 0.05). Conclusion Malnutrition and sarcopenia are common in hospitalized IBD patients and vary according to disease type and therapy. Routine, multimodal nutritional assessment including body composition and muscle function analysis should be implemented by trained dietitians. Conflict of interest: Dr. Bracciamà, Emanuele: No conflict of interest Cimminisi, Stefania: No conflict of interest Zimbardo, Sergio: No conflict of interest Amari, Carola: No conflict of interest Filangeri, Laura: No conflict of interest Giambò, Orazio: No conflict of interest Sferruzza, Giuseppe: No conflict of interest Di Maria, Gabriele: No conflict of interest Milano, Alessia: No conflict of interest Di Giorgio, Francesca Maria: No conflict of interest Petta, Salvatore: No conflict of interest Cappello, Maria: No conflict of interest Cammà, Calogero: No conflict of interest
Bracciamà et al. (2026) studied this question.