Low lean mass and sarcopenia are common in patients with IBD, and important to recognise as they predict osteopenia/osteoporosis. Grip strength testing should be incorporated into routine clinical practice to detect low lean mass deficits, which may go unrecognised using BMI alone.

Background: Rising rates of obesity have been reported in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); however, prospective data is lacking. The aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate body composition in adults with IBD over 24 months. Methods: Whole body dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) data was performed at 0 months, 12 months, and 24 months. Bone mineral density (BMD), fat mass index (FMI (kg)/height (m2)), appendicular skeletal muscle index (ASMI (kg)/height (m2)), visceral adipose tissue and the visceral adipose height index (VHI, VAT area (cm3)/height (m2)), and clinical and anthropometric assessments were performed at each time point. Multivariable linear mixed effects regression analyses were performed. Results: Initially, 154 participants were assessed at baseline (70% Crohn’s disease, 55% male, median age 31 years), of whom 129 underwent repeated DXA at 12 months, and 110 underwent repeated DXA at 24 months. Amongst those undergoing repeated DXA, their body mass index (BMI) significantly increased over time, such that by 24 months, 62% of patients were overweight or obese (annual change BMI β = 0.43, 95%CI = [0.18, 0.67], p = 0.0006). Gains in BMI related to increases in both FMI and VHI (β = 0.33, 95%CI = [0.14, 0.53], p = 0.0007; β = 0.08, 95%CI = [0.02, 0.13], p = 0.001; respectively), whereas ASMI decreased (β = −0.07, 95%CI = [−0.12, −0.01], p = 0.01) with a concordant rise in rates of myopenia (OR = 3.1 95%CI = [1.2, 7.7]; p = 0.01). Rates of osteopenia and osteoporosis were high (37%), but remained unchanged over time (p = 0.23). Conclusion: Increasing rates of obesity in patients with IBD coincide with decreases in lean muscle mass over time, while high rates of osteopenia remain stable. These previously undocumented issues warrant attention in routine care to prevent avoidable morbidity.

Background and Aims Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with psychosocial issues which reduce quality of life and impair medical management. However, these issues are rarely addressed in routine care. A model of integrated psychological screening and intervention was trialled to measure prevalence, patient participation, and potential benefits to mental health and/or quality of life. Methods During a 12-month period, 490 adult patients at an established hospital-based service were approached to complete screening instruments for anxiety, depression, general distress, quality of life and medication adherence. Disease-specific and demographic data were also collected. Patients who scored highly on screening questionnaires were offered psychological intervention (in-service or externally referred). Participants were reassessed after 12 months. Results Psychological screening was well accepted with 68% (N = 335) participating. Psychological care was ‘needed’, with 55% (N = 183) scoring highly for anxiety, depression and/or general distress. Half of those ‘in need’ (N = 91) accepted intervention. In those who accepted, levels of anxiety (mean at intake [M1] = 12.11 vs mean at follow-up [M2] = 9.59, p < 0.001), depression (M1 = 8.38 vs M2 = 6.42, p < 0.001), general distress (M1 = 17.99 vs M2 = 13.96, p < 0.001), mental health quality of life (M1 = 54.64 vs M2 = 59.70, p < 0.001) and overall quality of life (M1 = 57.60 vs M2 = 64.10, p < 0.001) each improved between intake and follow-up. Engagement in psychological intervention was six times greater for those treated in-service vs externally referred (χ2[1] = 13.06, p < 0.001, odds ratio = 6.47). Conclusions Mental health issues are highly prevalent in people with inflammatory bowel disease. Patients are open to psychological screening and treatment. Psychological care can improve patient mental health and quality of life, and works best when integrated into routine management.

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VAT:SAT, rather than BMI, is associated with stricturing CD behavior, elevated FC, and reduced QoL in a disease distribution-dependent manner. Further studies are required to substantiate the role of VAT as a useful biomarker in CD.