A Narrative Review on Eating Disorders and Disordered Eating in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Need for Increased Awareness

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests a link between Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and eating disorders, an emerging complex bidirectional association. Indeed, the overlap of symptoms and signs can lead to delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis of both conditions, but also the fear of food-induced symptoms, commonly observed in patients with IBD, determines dietary restrictions which in predisposed individuals may induce an overt eating disorder. ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder) and anorexia nervosa are the eating disorders more frequently reported, while disordered eating and orthorexia nervosa are emerging conditions. Disease worsening due to refusal of therapies in patients with anorexia is also a matter of concern and an increased awareness of the possible association of these conditions by gastroenterologists and dietitians is strongly warranted in order for patients to receive the appropriate counseling.