Psychological stress and eating behaviors as interacting influences on patient-reported disease activity in Italian patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

ABSTRACT: Diet and psychological stress are recognized contributors to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), yet their interaction-particularly stress-induced eating-remains underexplored. This study examined how perceived stress relates to comfort food consumption (CFC) and patient-reported outcomes among individuals with IBD. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 2,254 Italian patients recruited via a national patient organization. Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale, Salzburg Stress Eating Scale, IBD Symptom Inventory, Bristol Stool Chart, and ad hoc items on CFC. Analyses included partial correlations controlling demographic and clinical covariates, group comparisons by stress level and IBD subtype, and latent class analysis (LCA) to identify psychosocial profiles. Partici

SUBMITTER: Usta D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12770522 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature