Food satisfaction impaired in IBD, tied to reduced intake of key nutrients

A compromised food-related quality of life (FR-QoL) is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is linked to recurrent disease flares, a reduced IBD-specific QoL, and greater IBD-related distress, results of a study have shown.

In addition, a poorer FR-QoL correlates with lower intakes of key nutrients of importance to IBD, such as those relating to gut health and bone mineralization.

A total of 1,576 outpatients with IBD (aged ≥16 years) were recruited in person from seven IBD centres across the UK. Participants completed validated questionnaires to measure their FR-QoL, QoL, distress, fatigue, anxiety, and depression.

The investigators recorded dietary intake using the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer food frequency questionnaire. A health professional also recorded disease activity, Montreal classification, blood results, body mass index, and malnutrition risk. Finally, univariable and multivariable analyses were carried out to regress FR-QoL into explanatory variables.

Of the patients, 1,221 had available data (77.4 percent response; Crohn’s disease, 65 percent; ulcerative colitis, 35 percent). Mean FR-QoL score was 80.8±26.9, with wide ranges (minimum, 29; maximum, 145).

Multivariable analysis revealed the following factors with the most robust association with FR-QoL: the number of recent disease flares (5 flares: β, –12.7; p<0.001), the IBD-specific QoL (β, 0.33; p<0.001), and IBD-related distress (β, –0.26; p<0.001).

Notably, patients with poorer FR-QoL had lower intakes of fibre (nonstarch polysaccharide; Q1 to Q5 difference, 2.1 g/d, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.4–3.8; p=0.048), calcium (192.6 mg/d, 95 percent CI, 112.5–272.6; p<0.001), phosphorus (167 mg/d, 95 percent CI, 58–276; p=0.041), and magnesium (34.4 mg/d, 95 percent CI, 9.3–59.4; p=0.041).

“IBD may impact the extent to which food, eating, and drinking bring satisfaction and enjoyment to peoples’ lives, and this may impact dietary intake,” the investigators said.