Lifestyle factors associated with inflammatory bowel disease: data from the Swiss IBD cohort study
Authors: Lautenschlager Severin A. , Barry Mamadou Pathé , Rogler Gerhard , Biedermann Luc , Schreiner Philipp , Siebenhüner Alexander R. ,   Swiss IBD Cohort Study Group, Abdelrahman Karim , Ademi Gentiana , Aepli Patrick , Thomas Amman , Anderegg Claudia , Antonino Anca-Teodora , Archanioti Eva , Arrigoni Eviano , de Jong Diana Bakker , Balsiger Bruno , Bastürk Polat , Bauerfeind Peter , Becocci Andrea , Belli Dominique , Bengoa José M. , Binek Janek , Blattmann Mirjam , Boehm Stephan , Boldanova Tujana , Borovicka Jan , BellBraeggeri Christian P. , Brand Stephan , Brügger Lukas , Brunner Simon , Bühr Patrick , Burnand Bernard , Burk Sabine , Burri Emanuel , Buyse Sophie , Cao Dahlia-Thao , Carstens Ove , Cao Dahlia-Thao , Criblez Dominique H. , Cunningham Sophie , D’Angelo Fabrizia , de Saussure Philippe , Degen Lukas , Delarive Joakim , Doerig Christopher , Dora Barbara , Drerup Susan , Egger Mara , El-Wafa Ali , Engelmann Matthias , Ezri Jessica , Felley Christian , Fliegner Markus , Fournier Nicolas , Fraga Montserrat , Franc Yannick , Frei Pascal , Frei Remus , Fried Michael , Froehlich Florian , Furlano Raoul Ivano , Garzoni Luca , Geyer Martin , Girard Laurent , Girardin Marc , Golay Delphine , Good Ignaz , Bigler Ulrike Graf , Gysi Beat , Haarer Johannes , Halama Marcel , Haldemann Janine , Heer Pius , Heimgartner Benjamin , Helbling Beat , Hengstler Peter , Herzog Denise , Hess Cyrill , Hessler Roxane , Heyland Klaas , Hinterleitner Thomas , Hirschi Claudia , Hruz Petr , Juillerat Pascal , Bakker Carolina Khalid-de , Kayser Stephan , Keller Céline , Knellwolf-Grieger Christina , Knoblauch Christoph , Köhler Henrik , Koller Rebekka , Krieger-Grübel Claudia , Künzler Patrizia , Kusche Rachel , Lehmann Frank Serge , Macpherson Andrew , Maillard Michel H. , Manz Michael , Marot Astrid , Meier Rémy , Meyenberger Christa , Meyer Pamela , Michetti Pierre , Misselwitz Benjamin , Mosler Patrick , Mottet Christian , Müller Christoph , Müllhaupt Beat , Musso Leilla , Neagu Michaela , Nichita Cristina , Niess Jan , Nydegger Andreas , Obialo Nicole , Ollo Diana , Oropesa Cassandra , Peter Ulrich , Peternac Daniel , Petit Laetitia Marie , Pittet Valérie , Kusche Rachel , Pohl Daniel , Porzner Marc , Preissler Claudia , Raschle Nadia , Rentsch Ronald , Restellini Alexandre , Restellini Sophie , Richterich Jean-Pierre , Ris Frederic , Risti Branislav , Ritz Marc Alain , Röhrich Nina , Rossel Jean-Benoît , Rueger Vanessa , Rusticeanu Monica , Sagmeister Markus , Saner Gaby , Sauter Bernhard , Sawatzki Mikael , Scharl Michael , Schelling Martin , Schibli Susanne , Schlauri Hugo , Schluckebier Dominique , Schmid Daniela , Schmid-Uebelhart Sybille , Schnegg Jean-François , Schoepfer Alain , Seematter Vivianne , Seibold Frank , Seirafi Mariam , Semadeni Gian-Marco , Senning Arne , Sokollik Christiane , Sommer Joachim , Spalinger Johannes , Spangenberger Holger , Stadler Philippe , Staub Peter , Staudenmann Dominic , Stenz Volker , Steuerwald Michael , Straumann Alex , Strebel Bruno , Stulz Andreas , Sulz Michael , Tatu Aurora , Tempia-Caliera Michela , Thorens Joël , Truninger Kaspar , Tutuian Radu , Urfer Patrick , Vavricka Stephan , Viani Francesco , Vögtlin Jürg , Känel Roland Von , Vouillamoz Dominique , Vulliamy Rachel , Wiesel Paul , Wiest Reiner , Wöhrle Stefanie , Zamora Samuel , Zander Silvan , Wylie Tina , Zeitz Jonas , Zimmermann Dorothee 
Published: March 2023

Background

Various environmental risk factors have been associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. In this study we aimed to identify lifestyle factors that affect the onset of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Methods

2294 patients from the Swiss IBD Cohort Study received a questionnaire regarding physical activity, nutritional habits and status of weight. In addition, a control group was formed comprising patients’ childhood friends, who grew up in a similar environment.

Results

Overall, 1111 questionnaires were returned (response rate: 48.4%). Significantly more patients with inflammatory bowel disease reported no regular practice of sport during childhood and beginning of adulthood compared to the control group (p = 0.0001). No association between intake of refined sugar and onset of inflammatory bowel disease was observed. More patients with Crohn’s disease compared to ulcerative colitis and controls suffered from overweight during childhood (12.8% vs. 7.7% and 9.7%, respectively; p = 0.027).

Conclusions

Our study underlines the relevance of environmental factors in the development of inflammatory bowel disease. Our results imply a protective effect of physical activity regarding the onset of inflammatory bowel disease.