The impact of visceral obesity on chronic constipation, inflammation, immune function and cognitive function in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Objective: Obesity has gained attention among patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The impact of visceral obesity on chronic constipation, inflammation, immune function and cognition after diagnosis of IBD is still unknown. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 150 IBD patients. Patients’ visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were measured and were grouped according to visceral obesity. The potential impact of visceral obesity on cognitive function were evaluated using Mini-Mental State Examination. We evaluated patients’ incidence of chronic constipation, levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), T cells and body mass index in two groups. Results: The prevalence of visceral obesity was 51% (37 out of 72) for Crohn’s disease (CD) patients and 26% for UC patients (20 out of 78 patients). CD patients with visceral obesity has higher incidence of chronic constipation (81% vs. 57%, P = 0.028), higher IL-6 levels (15.28 pg/ml vs. 9.429 pg/ml, P = 0.007) and lower CD4 + T cells (32.7% vs. 44.0%, P < 0.001). VAT/SAT ratio is associated with BMI ( P < 0.001). Conclusions: IBD patients had high risks of visceral obesity. CD Patients with visceral obesity had higher prevalence of chronic constipation, higher inflammation levels, decreased immune function.

Impact of Obesity on the Course of Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease—A Review

“…For that reason, attempts to evaluate IBD activity with the use of the measurement of MAT/VAT volumes or MAT-derived mediators seem to be completely reasonable and worth exploring. Indeed, it is not such a new and revolutionary concept [ 174 , 193 , 194 ]. The year 1992 seems to be the first time when the phenomenon of fat wrapping in the intestines was shown to be correlated with ulceration, stricture formation, increased wall thickness, and transmural inflammation in CD by Sheehan et al [ 195 ].…”

Constipation syndrome in overweight patients

“…(2021) оценивалась связь запора у 150 участников с ожирением II и III степени и было установлено, что распространённость запора составила 24.67% у данной категории пациентов. Употребление пациентами пяти и более лекарственных препаратов, курение в прошлом и молодой возраст значительно повышали риски возникновения запора, в то время как достоверной связи с потреблением продуктов богатых клетчаткой обнаружено не было [14,15]. Распространенность запоров среди подростков с избыточной массой тела составила 24,9% [16].…”