Background: The alterations in the body composition (BC) in both the active and remission phase of Crohn’s disease (CD) are poorly characterized.
Objective: To assess the BC of the patients with CD in active and remission phase, and compare with healthy controls (HC).
Methods: BC was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis using Tanita TBF-215 leg to leg portable impedance analyzer in 123 patients with CD and 100 matched HC. Diet intake was assessed by 24 hours diet recall method.
Results: The mean age of patients was 36.4+12.6 years and 56% were males. Patients in active phase as well as in remission phase had a lower BMI than HC (18.8+3.6 vs. 23.9+4.0; p=0.001 and 18.8+3.6 vs. 21.6+5.0; p=0.002). The fat mass (FM) in active phase was significantly lower than that in remission phase (8.2+5.9 vs. 13.4+10.6 kg; p=0.005) and HC (8.2+5.9 kg vs. 14.1+7.5 kg; p=0.001). FM did not differ between remission phase and HC. The fat free mass (FFM) of HC was significantly higher than that of both remission phase (48.9+7.4 kg vs. 43.3+10.4 kg; p=0.001) and active phase (48.9+7.4 kg vs. 40.7+8.5 kg; p=0.001). There was no difference in the FFM of patients in both phases; p=0.356. The intake of macronutrients was comparable between the two phases; however lower than that of HC.
Conclusion: Both FM and FFM were depleted in the active phase, while only FFM was deficient in the remission phase of CD, indicating a poor recovery of lean mass in remission.