Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, also known by the acronym “IBD”, affected nearly 200,000 people in France in 2015. They “regroup Crohn’s disease (CD) and the ulcerative colitis (UC)” explains Inserm, which specifies that they are “characterized by inflammation of the wall of part of the digestive tract, due to deregulation of the intestinal immune system”.
For patients, this can be characterized in particular by abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue or even incontinence and impact mental health. Researchers from King’s College London therefore wondered how to improve the mental health of patients. They found that mood interventions can help improve mental health and could reduce inflammation linked to inflammatory bowel disease. Their results are published in the journal eBiomedicine.
IBD: improving the mental health of patients can help reduce symptoms
To arrive at these results, researchers studied randomized controlled trials conducted in adults with IBD. This research was to measure the levels of inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin, which are specific indicators. Additionally, this research had to present information about participants’ mood or mental health. In total, 28 trials were selected by the researchers, which represented a panel of more than 1,789 participants.
The researchers note that “THE mood interventionsparticularly psychological interventions, present a strategy to improve Mental Health And reduce inflammation in IBD”. But not all have the same effect. Indeed, the authors note that “psychological therapies, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)acceptance and commitment therapy and stress reduction based on mindfulnesshad the best results on inflammation in IBD, compared to antidepressants and exercise-based interventions”.
IBD: Mental health monitoring could slightly reduce inflammation levels
But what are the effects of mood intervention on IBD? After carrying out analyzes on biomarkers specific to IBD, the researchers observed “a slight reduction C-reactive protein and fecal calprotectin following mood intervention”. According to specialists, “this suggests that treatments that improve mood have beneficial effects on generic inflammation as well as disease-specific biomarkers”.
In a press release, Professor Valeria Mondelli King’s College London, specifies that “These findings add to the growing body of research demonstrating the role of inflammation in mental health and suggest that interventions aimed at improving mood may also have direct physical effects on inflammation levels.” The specialist specifies, however, that new research must be carried out in order to understand the exact mechanisms of IBD.
“Integrated mental health support alongside pharmacological treatments may offer a more holistic approach to IBD care, potentially leading to reduced disease and healthcare costs,” continues in the press release Professor Rona Moss-Morris at King’s College London.
If you suffer from IBD or symptoms that could lead to a diagnosis, it is essential to turn to a professional in order to benefit from personalized follow-up.
Sources:
- Do interventions for mood improve inflammatory biomarkers in inflammatory bowel disease?: A systematic review and meta-analysis – eBiomedicine (The Lancet Discovery Science)
- Mood interventions may reduce inflammation in Crohn’s and Colitis – King’s College London (press release)
- Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Control symptoms to regain a satisfactory quality of life – Inserm