Metabolic features of inflammatory bowel disease in a remission phase of the disease activity.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the anthropometric and metabolic characteristics of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), comparing both groups with healthy volunteers.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study.


METHODS
The Department of Internal Medicine, Catholic University Hospital, Rome, Italy.


METHODS
Thirty-four patients with biopsy-proven inflammatory bowel disease (18 CD; 16 UC) in clinical remission (SCDAI < 3 and Powell-Tuck index < 4) not receiving steroid therapy.


METHODS
All patients had a clinical examination.


METHODS
Blood indicators of inflammation and nutritional status. Body composition was assessed by both anthropometry and bioimpedance and metabolic variables were measured by indirect calorimetry over a 60-90 min period.


RESULTS
CD had a lower body weight than both controls (58.1 kg, range 41.5-71.0 vs. 66.4 kg, range 57.0-76.0; P < 0.001) and UC) 58.1 kg, range 41.5-71.0 vs. 69.6 kg, range 50.5-94.0; (P < 0.001). Fat-free mass (FFM) did not differ between the groups, whilst fat mass was significantly lower in CD than in UC (P < 0.05) and controls (P < 0.001). Normalizing the basal metabolic rate by FFM, a higher value was found in CD compared with UC (143 kJ kg-1) d-(-1), range 97.5-179 vs. 133 kJ kg-1 d-1, range 123-148; P < 0.05) and control subject 143 kj kg-1 d-1, range 97.5-179 vs. 134 kj kg-1 d-1, range 122-162; P < 0.05). The nonprotein respiratory quotient was significantly lower in CD compared to UC 0.80, range 0.73-0.84 vs. 0.84, range 0.79-0.91; P < 0.01) and controls (0.80, range 0.73-0.84 vs. 0.83, range 0.81-0.87; P < 0.001), with a consequently higher lipid oxidation rate in CD.


CONCLUSIONS
CD subjects showed a decreased fat mass and enhanced utilization of lipids compared with UC and controls. These data could be explained by the larger intestinal involvement and considered as a contribution to lipid tissue wasting in CD.
Capristo
E
E
Department of Internal Medicine, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome, Italy.
Mingrone
G
G
Addolorato
G
G
Greco
A V
AV
Gasbarrini
G
G
D000328:Adult; D001481:Basal Metabolism; D001823:Body Composition; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002153:Calorimetry, Indirect; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000097:blood; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction