Work

Economic value of high-energy, high-protein oral nutritional supplements in disease-related malnutrition in the French community setting

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives: Despite growing evidence supporting nutritional interventions, the comparative economic value of the highest high-energy, high-protein (H-HEHP) oral nutritional supplements (ONS) vs. standard ONS (S-ONS) formulations remains insufficiently characterized. This study evaluated the cost impact of H-HEHP ONS vs. S-ONS in community-dwelling patients with frailty/sarcopenia and disease-related malnutrition (DRM) in France, using a cost calculator to estimate total annual costs and key drivers under current and alternative market-share scenarios. Methods: A cost analysis was conducted from the French public healthcare payer perspective over a 1-year time horizon. A deterministic Excel-based cost calculator, informed by a systematic literature review and national demographic and cost data, was used to estimate hospitalization-related costs associated with H-HEHP ONS vs. S-ONS in community-dwelling patients with frailty or sarcopenia and DRM. Current and alternative market-share scenarios were evaluated; robustness of results was assessed using one-way sensitivity analyses. Results: Treatment with H-HEHP ONS at the 2024 market share (73%) within the overall ONS market in community-dwelling patients with frailty/sarcopenia and DRM would generate annual cost savings of €17.4 million compared with S-ONS alone in the French community setting. Per-patient savings of €74 were driven primarily by shorter length of hospital stay and fewer readmissions. Increasing H-HEHP ONS market share to 80% in the community setting would generate an additional €1.7 million annually beyond current utilization. Conclusion: The cost savings identified in this analysis provide valuable information to guide healthcare decision making. As healthcare systems continue to balance competing priorities within constrained budgets, this study supports H-HEHP ONS as a cost-saving intervention, providing population data essential for informed formulary and reimbursement decisions.

Source: Frontiers in Nutrition

DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1952501

Authors: Valérie Carot, Aditya Dular, Marie Le Novere, Laetitia Schmitt

Institution: Clarivate (United States)

Language: English

Topic: Clinical Nutrition and Gastroenterology

Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Zero hunger, No poverty

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801