European Consensus on Malabsorption—UEG & SIGE, LGA, SPG, SRGH, CGS, ESPCG, EAGEN, ESPEN, and ESPGHAN
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Malabsorption is a complex and multifaceted condition characterised by the defective passage of nutrients into the blood and lymphatic streams. Several congenital or acquired disorders may cause either selective or global malabsorption in both children and adults, such as cystic fibrosis, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), coeliac disease (CD) and other enteropathies, lactase deficiency, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), autoimmune atrophic gastritis, Crohn's disease, and gastric or small bowel resections. Early recognition of malabsorption is key for tailoring a proper diagnostic work-up for identifying the cause of malabsorption. Patient's medical and pharmacological history are essential for identifying risk factors. Several examinations like endoscopy with small intestinal biopsies, non-invasive functional tests, and radiologic imaging are useful in diagnosing malabsorption. Due to its high prevalence, CD should always be looked for in case of malabsorption with no other obvious explanations and in high-risk individuals. Nutritional support is key in management of patients with malabsorption; different options are available, including oral supplements, enteral or parenteral nutrition. In patients with short bowel syndrome, teduglutide proved effective in reducing the need for parenteral nutrition, thus improving the quality of life of these patients. Primary care physicians have a central role in early detection of malabsorption and should be involved into multidisciplinary teams for improving the overall management of these patients. In this European consensus, involving 10 scientific societies and several experts, we have dissected all the issues around malabsorption, including the definitions and diagnostic testing (Part 1), high-risk categories and special populations, nutritional assessment and management, and primary care perspective (Part 2).
DOI: 10.1002/ueg2.70011
Authors: Marco Vincenzo Lenti, Heinz Florian Hammer, Ilja Tacheci, Rosa Burgos, Stephane Schneider, Anastasiou Foteini, Aleksejs Derovs, Jutta Keller, Ilse Broekaert, Marianna Arvanitakis, Dan Lucian Dumitrascu, Oscar Segarra‐Cantón, Željko Krznarić, Juris Pokrotnieks, Gonçalo Nunes, Johann Hammer, Loris Pironi, Marc Sonyi, Cristina Maria Sabo, Juan Mendive, Adrien Nicolau, Jernej Dolinsek, Denisa Kyselova, Lucrezia Laterza, Antonio Gasbarrini, Teodora Surdea‐Blaga, Jorge Fonseca, Christos Lionis, Gino Roberto Corazza, Antonio Di Sabatino
Institutions: University of Pavia, Policlinico San Matteo Fondazione, University of Graz, Medical University of Graz, Charles University, University Hospital Hradec Králové, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Vall d'Hebron Hospital Universitari, Université Côte d'Azur, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, University of Crete, Riga Stradiņš University, Universität Hamburg, Israelitisches Krankenhaus, University of Cologne, University Hospital Cologne, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Erasmus Hospital, Iuliu Hațieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Spitalul Clinic Județean de Urgență Cluj-Napoca, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, University of Zagreb, Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, Escola Superior de Saúde Egas Moniz, Hospital Garcia de Orta, Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz, Medical University of Vienna, IRCCS Azienda Ospedliero-Universitaria di Bologna Policlinico di Sant'Orsola, University of Bologna, Krankenhaus der Augustinerinnen, Universitat de Barcelona, University of Maribor, University Clinical Centre Maribor, Institute of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic, Istituti di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico
Language: English
Subfield: Gastroenterology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $2,930
OpenAlex ID: W4408471827