THE FIRST STUDY ASSESSING THE PREVALENCE OF DISORDERED EATING BEHAVIOURS IN GASTROINTESTINAL DISEASES USING SCOFF

Introduction

Coeliac Disease (CD), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are commonly managed in part by dietary therapy. Disordered eating behaviours (DEB) are common, but the prevalence of this is likely underestimated despite the impact on mental and physical health and adherence to medical therapies. Screening tools, such as the validated 5 question SCOFF questionnaire, may be helpful for gastroenterologists to use in clinics to recognise DEB in patients, however has never been used before. There is also a paucity of data assessing the prevalence of these patients to DEB and we therefore aimed to assess the prevalence of DEB in CD, IBD and IBS compared to healthy controls and the risks factors associated with this.

Methods

All patients attending GI clinics between October 2020 and October 2021 with diagnosed CD, IBD or IBS and healthy controls were identified and contacted by telephone to complete the SCOFF questionnaire. Case notes of patients were then reviewed to assess for risk factors of DEB in those identified.

Results

In total, 439 participants attending gastroenterology clinics completed the SCOFF questionnaire. DEB was more prevalent in patients with CD, IBD and IBS than in healthy controls (9.6%, 11.6%, 20.1% and 5.8% respectively, p=0.0325). DEB were seen across all ages, ethnicities, employment statuses and educational attainments. None of these patients were previously known to have DEB. The presence of a psychiatric disorder (RR = 2.7 (95% CI = 1.51 - 4.83), p=0.001) and recent weight loss (RR = 2.2 (95%CI = 1.23-3.84), p=0.004) were significant risk factors for patients with DEB. Patients with DEB were also younger (37 vs 46 years, p=0.002). The SCOFF questionnaire took approximately 2 minutes to complete.

Conclusion

Disordered eating is common in patients with gastrointestinal conditions particularly in patients with IBS. Patients with a pre-existing psychiatric disorders or recent weight loss were twice as likely to have DEB. The SCOFF questionnaire provides a quick way to screen for disordered eating and therefore would be feasible to be used in a clinical consultation. The SCOFF questionnaire is currently under-utilised as a screening tool to identify those at risk of DEB and subsequently provide clinical support.