Eating Disorders in Patients With IBD

NCT07610694 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 117/2025
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 355
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) may influence eating habits and lead some patients to adopt restrictive dietary behaviours to control gastrointestinal symptoms. In some cases, these behaviours may become maladaptive and resemble eating disorders, including avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID). This observational cross-sectional study assesses the prevalence of eating disorder risk and ARFID risk among adult patients with IBD. Participants complete validated questionnaires evaluating eating behaviours, nutritional status, and IBD-related disability. Clinical and demographic data are also collected.

Conditions

Crohn Disease (CD); Ulcerative Colitis (UC); ARFID; Eating Disorders; Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis)

Keywords

ARFID; Food avoidance; Eating disorders; Disability; Malnutrition; Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Prevalence of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder risk among adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease

  The primary outcome is the proportion of adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease who screen positive for avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder risk. ARFID risk is assessed using the validated Nine-Item Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder Screen (NIAS-9), which evaluates restrictive eating behaviours across three domains: picky eating, low appetite or limited interest in eating, and fear of adverse consequences. A NIAS-9 total score of 24 or higher identifies participants at risk for ARFID.

  Single time point at enrolment

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Prevalence of eating disorder risk among adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease

  Single time point at enrolment

• Association between ARFID risk and malnutrition risk

  Single time point at enrolment

• Association between avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder risk and IBD-related disability

  Single time point at enrolment

Study Arms (1)

Adult patients diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, enrolled during routine outpatient visits.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Adult patients with a confirmed diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, enrolled during routine outpatient visits at participating IBD centres. Participants complete validated questionnaires assessing eating behaviours, nutritional status, and IBD-related disability, with concurrent collection of clinical and demographic data.

You may qualify if:

• Adult patients aged 18 years or older.
• Confirmed diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.
• Patients evaluated during routine outpatient IBD visits.
• Ability to understand and complete the study questionnaires.

You may not qualify if:

• Previous diagnosis or known history of eating disorders.
• Severe unmanaged psychiatric conditions.
• Pregnancy.
• Inability to complete the questionnaires or provide reliable study information.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Federico II University: lead
• Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

University of Naples Federico II

Naples, 80131, Italy

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Malnutrition

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Gastroenteritis; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Digestive System Diseases; Intestinal Diseases; Colitis; Colonic Diseases; Mental Disorders; Signs and Symptoms, Digestive; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Nutrition Disorders; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Prof

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 19, 2026
• First Posted: May 28, 2026
• Study Start: October 10, 2024
• Primary Completion: April 1, 2025
• Study Completion: April 1, 2025
• Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

IT (1)