Many people affected by chronic inflammatory bowel disease use coping strategies that have a significant impact on the course of the disease, quality of life and well-being. Both positive and negative effects can occur.
A new study involving experts from the University of Turin in Italy examined what mechanisms people with inflammatory bowel disease use to manage their disease and what effects these have. The results can be read in the journal “Journal of Clinical Medicine”.
Analysis of 57 specialist articles
The team analyzed English-language studies published up to 2023 that looked at coping strategies for inflammatory bowel disease. They finally subjected 57 of them to a complete analysis.
The researchers discovered that there are a variety of coping strategies that people with inflammatory bowel disease use. While some of these seem to be helpful, others were associated with negative effects (maladaptive strategies).
Therefore, a differentiated approach is needed in future studies that takes into account factors such as the severity of the illness, the duration of the illness and individual characteristics when assessing coping strategies.
Which strategies are suitable?
For example, the results show that passive strategies are the predominant coping strategy in people with depressive symptoms, whereas active strategies are most effective at improving physical functioning, the team reports.
The research work illustrates the influence of coping mechanisms in inflammatory bowel disease on the quality of life of those affected and it may also be possible to derive coping strategies to support the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease and rehabilitation.
Further research necessary
Experts say further research is now needed into the coping strategies that are associated with beneficial effects in people with inflammatory bowel disease. Future studies should analyze personalized interventions that take into account the heterogeneity of people with inflammatory bowel disease, the team adds.
Broccoli against chronic inflammatory bowel disease
Another study published in the English-language journal “mSystems” used a special mouse model of Crohn’s disease to show that regular consumption of broccoli sprouts appears to be beneficial in chronic inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
The experts involved in the study found that mice that consumed broccoli sprouts had higher levels of the anti-inflammatory metabolite sulforaphane in their blood.
Although the animals were immunocompromised and suffered from colitis, the increased levels of sulforaphane protected them from severe disease symptoms such as weight loss, blood in the stool and diarrhea, the team explains.
The researchers also found that of the four groups studied, the younger mice fed broccoli sprouts had the mildest disease symptoms and the most robust intestinal flora, suggesting that they responded better to the broccoli sprout diet.
Broccoli sprouts against pathobiont bacteria
Eating broccoli sprouts reduced the prevalence and abundance of pathobiont bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Helicobacter, which are considered potential triggers of inflammation. In addition, the composition of the intestinal flora also benefited from consuming the sprouts, according to the team.
These results therefore suggest that broccoli sprouts could be a promising treatment strategy for inflammatory bowel disease. (as)
