Malnourished Patients Requiring Artificial Nutritional SupportCOCONUTNCT07620106
Nutritional Support in Hospitalized Patients
An observational study of Malnourished Patients Requiring Artificial Nutritional Support, run by University of Bari at 1 site in Italy.
Trial summary
To evaluate the prevalence of hospitalized patients who receive artificial nutrition, the type of patients who resort to artificial nutrition, the appropriateness of the latter in terms of specificity with respect to the clinical condition, and the adequacy of the caloric-protein intake provided to the patient. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Malnourished Patients Requiring Artificial Nutritional Support
- How many people
- 578 participants
- Where
- 1 siteItaly
- Study dates
- 10 Jun 2024to 12 Jun 2024
- Phase
- Observational
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Study population: This observational, cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of patients receiving artificial nutrition and the appropriateness of this treatment at the Bari Polyclinic University Hospital. All patients were allocated to 35 different medical and surgical wards or the intensive care unit (ICU).
Who may be able to join
None listed.
Who cannot join
- -
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Nutrition Day: Prevalenza Della Nutrizione Artificiale Nei Pazienti Ospedalizzati e Appropriatezza Prescrittiva a Supporto Della Valutazione Dei Costi e Della Programmazione Dei Consumi.
To evaluate the prevalence of hospitalized patients who receive artificial nutrition, the type of patients who resort to artificial nutrition, the appropriateness of the latter in terms of specificity with respect to the clinical condition, and the adequacy of the caloric-protein intake provided to the patient.
Read the detailed description
Despite detailed recommendations provided by international scientific societies, numerous studies highlight substantial variability and deficiencies in clinical practice, notably delays in initiating artificial nutrition (AN), inadequate caloric and protein dosing, and disparities in treatment across patient groups. Unfortunately, applying the general recommendations to nutritional therapy for polymorbid patients is particularly challenging for healthcare providers without specific nutrition training, as disease-specific quantitative and qualitative nutritional requirements must be considered. In this report, we present results obtained from data collected on hospitalized patients undergoing AN across 35 medical and surgical wards and the intensive care unit of a university hospital in Southern Italy. In all these cases, the decisions regarding the type (enteral/parenteral) and the intensity (calories/proteins) of the nutritional interventions observed were made by the physicians working on the wards. This study describes the application of AN in real-world hospital settings, identifying the main critical issues and suggesting possible interventions to improve clinical practice.
- Keywords
- malnutrition, nutritional support, enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition
- Medical subject headings
- Malnutrition, Hyperphagia
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Prevalence of patients receiving artificial nutrition during their hospitalization.
Among the 578 hospitalized patients, 56 (9.7%; 30 males, 26 females), with a mean age of 67.1 ± 11.6 years, were receiving artificial nutrition (AN). The modalities of AN administration were as follows: total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in 39 patients, enteral nutrition (EN) in 16 patients, and EN plus supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) in 1 patient.
Measured: Baseline evaluation was performed for all patients on the same day, which corresponded to a variable time from the beginning of hospitalization.
Secondary outcomes (1)
Evaluation of the total amount of calories received
The total caloric intake received by each patient was calculated based on the characteristics of nutritional parenteral and enteral products and the duration of their infusion. The appropriateness of the caloric intake was calculated using the most accurate prediction formula suggested for a specific body mass index (BMI) range.
Measured: Baseline evaluation was performed for all patients on the same day, which corresponded to a variable time from the beginning of hospitalization.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted2 Jun 2026
- Study start10 Jun 2024
- Primary completion12 Jun 2024
- Study completion12 Jun 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Publications (9)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Malnourished Patients Requiring Artificial Nutritional SupportStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Observational
- Observational model
- Case crossover
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
- Enrolment
- 578 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Bari
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Michele Barone, University of Bari
- Investigators
- Michele Barone, Study chair, University of Bari
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07620106
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Policlinico Bari 1698
- Acronym
- COCONUT
- Status last verified
- Jun 2024
- First submitted
- 28 Apr 2026
- Last updated
- 5 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: The study was already completed, and all the data will be published.
Publications
Jensen GL, Cederholm T, Correia MITD, Gonzalez MC, Fukushima R, Higashiguchi T, de Baptista GA, Barazzoni R, Blaauw R, Coats AJS, Crivelli A, Evans DC, Gramlich L, Fuchs-Tarlovsky V, Keller H, Llido L, Malone A, Mogensen KM, Morley JE, Muscaritoli M, Nyulasi I, Pirlich M, Pisprasert V, de van der Schueren M, Siltharm S, Singer P, Tappenden KA, Velasco N, Waitzberg DL, Yamwong P, Yu J, Compher C, Van Gossum A. GLIM Criteria for the Diagnosis of Malnutrition: A Consensus Report From the Global Clinical Nutrition Community. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2019 Jan;43(1):32-40. doi: 10.1002/jpen.1440. Epub 2018 Sep 2.
PubMed 30175461Totland TH, Krogh HW, Smedshaug GB, Tornes RA, Bye A, Paur I. Harmonization and standardization of malnutrition screening for all adults - A systematic review initiated by the Norwegian Directorate of Health. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022 Dec;52:32-49. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.09.028. Epub 2022 Oct 2.
PubMed 36513471Amato V, De Caprio C, Santarpia L, De Rosa A, Bongiorno C, Stella G, De Rosa E, Iacone R, Scanzano C, Pasanisi F, Contaldo F. Time trend prevalence of artificial nutrition counselling in a university hospital. Nutrition. 2019 Feb;58:181-186. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2018.08.014. Epub 2018 Aug 24.
PubMed 30504009Krishnan S, Sytsma T, Wischmeyer PE. Addressing the Urgent Need for Clinical Nutrition Education in PostGraduate Medical Training: New Programs and Credentialing. Adv Nutr. 2024 Nov;15(11):100321. doi: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100321. Epub 2024 Oct 16.
PubMed 39424228Wunderle C, Gomes F, Schuetz P, Stumpf F, Austin P, Ballesteros-Pomar MD, Cederholm T, Fletcher J, Laviano A, Norman K, Poulia KA, Schneider SM, Stanga Z, Bischoff SC. ESPEN practical guideline: Nutritional support for polymorbid medical inpatients. Clin Nutr. 2024 Mar;43(3):674-691. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.01.008. Epub 2024 Jan 24.
PubMed 38309229Correia MI, Hegazi RA, Higashiguchi T, Michel JP, Reddy BR, Tappenden KA, Uyar M, Muscaritoli M. Evidence-based recommendations for addressing malnutrition in health care: an updated strategy from the feedM.E. Global Study Group. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2014 Aug;15(8):544-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2014.05.011. Epub 2014 Jul 2.
PubMed 24997720Singer P, Blaser AR, Berger MM, Alhazzani W, Calder PC, Casaer MP, Hiesmayr M, Mayer K, Montejo JC, Pichard C, Preiser JC, van Zanten ARH, Oczkowski S, Szczeklik W, Bischoff SC. ESPEN guideline on clinical nutrition in the intensive care unit. Clin Nutr. 2019 Feb;38(1):48-79. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2018.08.037. Epub 2018 Sep 29.
PubMed 30348463Bolado Jimenez C, Fernadez Ovalle H, Munoz Moreno MF, Aller de la Fuente R, de Luis Roman DA. Undernutrition measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test and related risk factors in older adults under hospital emergency care. Nutrition. 2019 Oct;66:142-146. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2019.04.005. Epub 2019 May 10.
PubMed 31279180Pirlich M, Schutz T, Norman K, Gastell S, Lubke HJ, Bischoff SC, Bolder U, Frieling T, Guldenzoph H, Hahn K, Jauch KW, Schindler K, Stein J, Volkert D, Weimann A, Werner H, Wolf C, Zurcher G, Bauer P, Lochs H. The German hospital malnutrition study. Clin Nutr. 2006 Aug;25(4):563-72. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2006.03.005. Epub 2006 May 15.
PubMed 16698132
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Nutrition Day: Prevalenza Della Nutrizione Artificiale Nei Pazienti Ospedalizzati e Appropriatezza Prescrittiva a Supporto Della Valutazione Dei Costi e Della Programmazione Dei Consumi.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07620106
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- COCONUT / Policlinico Bari 1698
- Keywords
- malnutrition, nutritional support, enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition
- Study type
- Observational
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 578 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of BariUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 10 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 12 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 12 Jun 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 2 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
To evaluate the prevalence of hospitalized patients who receive artificial nutrition, the type of patients who resort to artificial nutrition, the appropriateness of the latter in terms of specificity with respect to the clinical condition, and the adequacy of the caloric-protein intake provided to the patient.
Detailed description
Despite detailed recommendations provided by international scientific societies, numerous studies highlight substantial variability and deficiencies in clinical practice, notably delays in initiating artificial nutrition (AN), inadequate caloric and protein dosing, and disparities in treatment across patient groups. Unfortunately, applying the general recommendations to nutritional therapy for polymorbid patients is particularly challenging for healthcare providers without specific nutrition training, as disease-specific quantitative and qualitative nutritional requirements must be considered. In this report, we present results obtained from data collected on hospitalized patients undergoing AN across 35 medical and surgical wards and the intensive care unit of a university hospital in Southern Italy. In all these cases, the decisions regarding the type (enteral/parenteral) and the intensity (calories/proteins) of the nutritional interventions observed were made by the physicians working on the wards. This study describes the application of AN in real-world hospital settings, identifying the main critical issues and suggesting possible interventions to improve clinical practice.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case crossover
- Time perspective
- Cross-sectional
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
- Study population
- This observational, cross-sectional study evaluated the prevalence of patients receiving artificial nutrition and the appropriateness of this treatment at the Bari Polyclinic University Hospital. All patients were allocated to 35 different medical and surgical wards or the intensive care unit (ICU).
Key inclusion criteria (0 listed)
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- -
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Primary outcome
Prevalence of patients receiving artificial nutrition during their hospitalization.
Time frame: Baseline evaluation was performed for all patients on the same day, which corresponded to a variable time from the beginning of hospitalization.
Among the 578 hospitalized patients, 56 (9.7%; 30 males, 26 females), with a mean age of 67.1 ± 11.6 years, were receiving artificial nutrition (AN). The modalities of AN administration were as follows: total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in 39 patients, enteral nutrition (EN) in 16 patients, and EN plus supplemental parenteral nutrition (SPN) in 1 patient.
1 secondary outcome
Evaluation of the total amount of calories received
Time frame: Baseline evaluation was performed for all patients on the same day, which corresponded to a variable time from the beginning of hospitalization.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Jun 2026.
- Background: PubMed 30175461Jensen GL, Cederholm T, Correia MITD, Gonzalez MC, Fukushima R, Higashiguchi T, de Baptista GA, Barazzoni R, Blaauw R, Coats AJS, Crivelli A, Evans DC, Gramlich L, Fuchs-Tarlovsky V, Keller H, Llido L, Malone A, Mogensen KM, Morley JE, Muscaritoli M, Nyulasi I, Pirlich M, Pisprasert V, de van der Schueren M, Siltharm S, Singer P, Tappenden KA, Velasco N, Waitzberg DL, Yamwong P, Yu J, Compher C, Van Gossum A. GLIM Criteria for the Diagnosis of Malnutrition: A Consensus Report From the Global Clinical Nutrition Community. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2019 Jan;43(1):32-40. doi: 10.1002/jpen.1440. Epub 2018 Sep 2.
- Background: PubMed 36513471Totland TH, Krogh HW, Smedshaug GB, Tornes RA, Bye A, Paur I. Harmonization and standardization of malnutrition screening for all adults - A systematic review initiated by the Norwegian Directorate of Health. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2022 Dec;52:32-49. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2022.09.028. Epub 2022 Oct 2.
- Background: PubMed 30504009Amato V, De Caprio C, Santarpia L, De Rosa A, Bongiorno C, Stella G, De Rosa E, Iacone R, Scanzano C, Pasanisi F, Contaldo F. Time trend prevalence of artificial nutrition counselling in a university hospital. Nutrition. 2019 Feb;58:181-186. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2018.08.014. Epub 2018 Aug 24.
- Background: PubMed 39424228Krishnan S, Sytsma T, Wischmeyer PE. Addressing the Urgent Need for Clinical Nutrition Education in PostGraduate Medical Training: New Programs and Credentialing. Adv Nutr. 2024 Nov;15(11):100321. doi: 10.1016/j.advnut.2024.100321. Epub 2024 Oct 16.
- Background: PubMed 38309229Wunderle C, Gomes F, Schuetz P, Stumpf F, Austin P, Ballesteros-Pomar MD, Cederholm T, Fletcher J, Laviano A, Norman K, Poulia KA, Schneider SM, Stanga Z, Bischoff SC. ESPEN practical guideline: Nutritional support for polymorbid medical inpatients. Clin Nutr. 2024 Mar;43(3):674-691. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.01.008. Epub 2024 Jan 24.
- Background: PubMed 24997720Correia MI, Hegazi RA, Higashiguchi T, Michel JP, Reddy BR, Tappenden KA, Uyar M, Muscaritoli M. Evidence-based recommendations for addressing malnutrition in health care: an updated strategy from the feedM.E. Global Study Group. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2014 Aug;15(8):544-50. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2014.05.011. Epub 2014 Jul 2.
- Background: PubMed 30348463Singer P, Blaser AR, Berger MM, Alhazzani W, Calder PC, Casaer MP, Hiesmayr M, Mayer K, Montejo JC, Pichard C, Preiser JC, van Zanten ARH, Oczkowski S, Szczeklik W, Bischoff SC. ESPEN guideline on clinical nutrition in the intensive care unit. Clin Nutr. 2019 Feb;38(1):48-79. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2018.08.037. Epub 2018 Sep 29.
- Background: PubMed 31279180Bolado Jimenez C, Fernadez Ovalle H, Munoz Moreno MF, Aller de la Fuente R, de Luis Roman DA. Undernutrition measured by the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) test and related risk factors in older adults under hospital emergency care. Nutrition. 2019 Oct;66:142-146. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2019.04.005. Epub 2019 May 10.
- Background: PubMed 16698132Pirlich M, Schutz T, Norman K, Gastell S, Lubke HJ, Bischoff SC, Bolder U, Frieling T, Guldenzoph H, Hahn K, Jauch KW, Schindler K, Stein J, Volkert D, Weimann A, Werner H, Wolf C, Zurcher G, Bauer P, Lochs H. The German hospital malnutrition study. Clin Nutr. 2006 Aug;25(4):563-72. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2006.03.005. Epub 2006 May 15.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. The study was already completed, and all the data will be published.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Michele Barone study chair
University of Bari
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
An observational study of Malnourished Patients Requiring Artificial Nutritional Support, run by University of Bari at 1 site in Italy.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 0 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Italy. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Prevalence of patients receiving artificial nutrition during their hospitalization. (time frame: Baseline evaluation was performed for all patients on the same day, which corresponded to a variable time from the beginning of hospitalization.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07620106, which also lists 9 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Jun 2026.