Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021 Aug 11;S1542-3565(21)00864-8.doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2021.08.009. Online ahead of print.

Emily Yelencich ¹, Emily Truong ², Adrianne M Widaman ¹, Giselle Pignotti ¹, Liu Yang ², Yejoo Jeon ², Andrew T Weber ², Rishabh Shah ², Janelle Smith ², Jenny S Sauk ², Berkeley N Limketkai ³

Author information

• ¹Department of Nutrition, Food Science & Packaging, San José State University, San José, California.
• ²Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California.
• ³Center for Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California. Electronic address: berkeley.limketkai@gmail.com.

Abstract

Background & aims: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients alter their dietary behaviors to reduce disease-related symptoms, avoid feared food triggers, and control inflammation. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), evaluate risk factors, and examine the association with risk of malnutrition in patients with IBD.

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited adult patients with IBD from an ambulatory clinic. ARFID risk was measured using the Nine-Item ARFID Screen. Nutritional risk was measured with the Patient Generated-Subjective Global Assessment. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between clinical characteristics and a positive ARFID risk screen. Patient demographics, disease characteristics, and medical history were abstracted from medical records.

Results: Of the 161 participants (Crohn's disease, 45.3%; ulcerative colitis, 51.6%; IBD-unclassified, 3.1%), 28 (17%) had a positive ARFID risk score (≥24). Most participants (92%) reported avoiding 1 or more foods while having active symptoms, and 74% continued to avoid 1 or more foods even in the absence of symptoms. Active symptoms (odds ratio, 5.35; 95% confidence interval, 1.91-15.01) and inflammation (odds ratio, 3.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-10.29) were significantly associated with positive ARFID risk. Patients with a positive ARFID risk screen were significantly more likely to be at risk for malnutrition (60.7% vs 15.8%; P < .01).

Conclusions: Avoidant eating behaviors are common in IBD patients, even when in clinical remission. Patients who exhibit active symptoms and/or inflammation should be screened for ARFID risk, with referrals to registered dietitians to help monitor and address disordered eating behaviors and malnutrition risk.