INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE AND SARCOPENIA: A FOCUS ON MUSCLE STRENGTH - NARRATIVE REVIEW

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Nutrition
• Muscle Physiology

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with sarcopenia, a condition characterized by muscle mass loss and weakness.
• Muscle strength decline is a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of sarcopenia in IBD patients.
• Understanding the multifactorial nature of sarcopenia in IBD is crucial for effective patient management.

Approach:

• A narrative review was conducted to explore factors influencing muscle strength in IBD patients.
• Literature search in Medline, Pubmed, and Scielo databases identified studies on muscle strength, physical performance, sarcopenia, and IBD.
• The review synthesizes evidence on the interplay between IBD, inflammation, nutrient absorption, body composition, gut microbiota, and muscle function.

Key Points:

• Chronic inflammation, reduced nutrient intake, malabsorption, altered body composition, and gut dysbiosis are significant contributors to muscle strength decline in IBD.
• Proinflammatory cytokines, increased adiposity, and protein metabolism imbalances exacerbate muscle atrophy.
• Gut microbiota dysbiosis plays a pivotal role in mediating the relationship between IBD and sarcopenia.

Conclusions:

• Muscle strength and physical performance assessments are essential for early sarcopenia identification in IBD patients.
• Addressing inflammation, nutritional status, and gut health is vital for mitigating sarcopenia progression in IBD.
• Targeted interventions focusing on these factors can improve outcomes for IBD patients at risk of sarcopenia.