Body composition predictors of severe Crohn's disease based on Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity

Zielsetzung This study aimed at retrospectively assessing body composition parameters and creeping fat (CrF) on opportunistic MRE scans as predictors of Crohn's disease (CD)'s activity based on the Magnetic Resonance Index of Activity (MaRIA).

Material und Methoden 114 CD patients who underwent MRE between June 2010 and April 2020 were retrospectively assessed. The semi-automated body composition segmentation, the qualitative evaluation of CrF, and MaRIA were performed. Based on their MaRIA score, patients were divided into two groups: mild-to-moderate disease (MaRIA<11, n=50) and severe disease (MaRIA≥11, n=64). MRE parameters were analyzed between both groups.

Ergebnisse The severe disease group exhibited higher serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels compared to the mild-to-moderate disease group (p=<0.001). In the mild-to-moderate disease group, a higher proportion of patients had a body mass index (BMI)≥25 (kg/m2) (32.0%) compared to the severe disease group (16.5%) (p=0.04). The subcutaneous adipose tissue index (SATI) was significantly higher in the mild-to-moderate disease group (p=0.04). The visceral to subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT/SAT) ratio tended to be higher in the severe disease group (p=0.09). There was no significant difference between both groups regarding total adipose tissue index (TATI) (p=0.10), visceral adipose tissue index (VATI) (p=0.51), intramuscular adipose tissue index (IMATI) (p=0.38), skeletal muscle index (SMI) (p=0.83), and sarcopenia (p=0.75). In the multivariate analysis, CrF was significantly associated with severe disease (odds ratio [OR] 11.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.13 – 42.17; p=<0.001). Additionally, a BMI≥25 (kg/m2) was protective against severe disease (OR: 0.34, 95% CI 0.12 – 0.95; p=0.04).

Schlussfolgerungen CrF is significantly associated with CD activity.

Publication History

Article published online:
13 April 2023