Role of immune nutrition in Sars-cov2 patients admitted to semi-intensive unit

Background and rationale: : SARS-COV 2 pandemic has hit on our lives since early 2020. During the first COVID-19 contagions waves, both malnutrition and overweight significantly correlatedInMethods: we prospectively enrolled patients admitted to the semi-intensive COVID-19 Unit of San Benedetto General hospital. All patients had biochemical, antropometric, HRCT chest scan and complete nutritional assessments at the time of admission (T0) and after oral immune-nutrition formula administration (Modulen®, Nestlè Italy), at 15 days interval follow-up.(T1)Results: we enrolled 34 consecutive patients (mean age 70.3±5.4 years, 6 F, BMI 27.0 Kg/m2). Main comorbidities were: diabetes (20%, type 2 90 %), hyperuricemia (15%), hypertension (38%), chronic ischemic heart disease (8 %), COPD (8%), anxiety (5%) and depression (5%). Moderate to severe overweight was present in 58% of patients; MNA test (4.8±0.7) and phase angle (PA) values, suggestive of malnutrition, were present in 15% of patients, mainly with history of cancer. After 15 days upon admission, we recorded 3 deaths (mean age 75.7±5.1 years, BMI 26.3 Kg/m2) and 4 patients were admitted to the ICU. Modulen®administration was followed by a significant decrease of inflammatory markers and prevented worsening of BMI, PA. One patient only needed protein-rich formula administration.