Beyond Inflammation - A Multidisciplinary Approach to Managing Obesity and Cardiometabolic Risk in Inflammatory Bowel...

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Cardiology
• Metabolic Medicine

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients exhibit high obesity (40%) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) prevalence.
• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a primary cause of mortality in IBD, linked to chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction.
• Traditional IBD care models often neglect proactive cardiometabolic risk screening and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current screening and management strategies for obesity, MASLD, and cardiometabolic comorbidities in IBD.
• To identify gaps in IBD care models regarding chronic disease management.
• To propose integrated multidisciplinary approaches for optimizing patient outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies focusing on IBD, obesity, MASLD, and CVD.
• Analysis of existing IBD service models and their integration of cardiometabolic care.
• Synthesis of therapeutic options for obesity and CVD risk reduction in IBD patients.

Main Results:

• Obesity prevalence in IBD has risen to 40%, contributing to MASLD and CVD.
• Visceral adiposity and systemic inflammation are key mechanisms linking IBD, MASLD, and CVD.
• Current IBD models lack prioritization of proactive cardiometabolic risk management.

Conclusions:

• Addressing obesity, MASLD, and CVD is critical for reducing morbidity and mortality in IBD.
• Integrated, multidisciplinary care models with proactive screening are essential for IBD services.
• Implementing these strategies within existing IBD infrastructure offers immediate opportunities to improve long-term patient outcomes.