{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,18]],"date-time":"2025-10-18T00:13:21Z","timestamp":1760746401869,"version":"build-2065373602"},"reference-count":24,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"20","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,17]],"date-time":"2025-10-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1760659200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"HARG SB srl"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Nutrients"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is a frequent condition among older adults in long-term care facilities, often leading to malnutrition, dehydration, and increased mortality. Modified-texture diets (MTDs) are used to address these risks, though traditional preparation methods often compromise nutritional density and standardization. The WeanCare protocol with Dysphameal\u00ae technology introduces an innovative solution by offering IDDSI-compliant, high-density, freeze-dried meals. This study assesses its clinical effectiveness and economic impact. Methods: A six-month quasi-experimental pre\u2013post study was conducted in two Italian nursing homes involving 13 older participants with diagnosed OD. Participants received all meals and hydration through Dysphameal\u00ae, and data were collected on anthropometry, biochemical markers, care workload, and economic parameters. Statistical analyses included regression, correlations, and pre\u2013post comparisons. Results: Improvements were noted in fat-free mass (FFM), skeletal muscle mass (ASMM), and basal metabolic rate (BMR) in all participants. Albumin and lymphocyte counts improved, as did participant autonomy at mealtime. Operational time per participant dropped by 44% in kitchen and by 7 min\/day in wards. Supplement use decreased, leading to significant cost savings and improved staff allocation. Conclusions: The WeanCare\u2013Dysphameal\u00ae system improves nutritional status, reduces caregiver workload, and enhances economic efficiency in institutional settings. It represents a scalable solution for OD management, ensuring consistency, safety, and sustainability in dysphagic care.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/nu17203259","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,17]],"date-time":"2025-10-17T07:33:50Z","timestamp":1760686430000},"page":"3259","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Clinical and Economic Impact in Dysphagia Management: A Preliminary Economic Evaluation for the WeanCare-Dysphameal Approach"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Chiara","family":"Monti","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"RSA Anni Azzurri Division KOS, 00137 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6532-6747","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Paolo","family":"Landa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Operations and Decision Systems, Interuniversity Research Centre on Enterprise Networks, Logistics and Transport (CIRRELT), Universit\u00e9 Laval, Qu\u00e9bec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Antonio Rosario","family":"Romano","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Research and Development, Healthy Ageing Research Group, 25124 Brescia, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Marco","family":"Di Nitto","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Axsinia","family":"Torsello","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Mirasole Anni Azzurri Residence KOS2, 00137 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Stefania","family":"Ripamonti","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"ASST della Brianza Dietetic Service P.O. of Desio U.O.S.D. Endocrine Diseases of Turnover and Nutrition, 20039 Desio, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Gianluca","family":"Catania","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-9079-8460","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Annamaria","family":"Bagnasco","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Milko","family":"Zanini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, 16132 Genoa, Italy"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"S1","DOI":"10.5535\/arm.23069","article-title":"Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oropharyngeal Dysphagia","volume":"47","author":"Yang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Ann. 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