DOP18 Brain structural correlates of fatigue in active and quiescent Crohn’s Disease

Abstract Background Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom in IBD, affecting the majority of patients with active disease. While impaired energy metabolism may contribute to development fatigue during phases disease, high prevalence remitted IBD less comprehensible. The underlying mechanisms are poorly understood, but disturbance along microbiota-gut-brain-axis seems likely. This study examined brain structural correlates Crohn’s Disease (CD) an (aCD) or quiescent (qCD) state healthy controls (HC). Methods Patients CD (n=45; aCD=22, qCD=23) HC (n=35) underwent MRI at 3T completed questionnaire (WEIMuS) assess somatic (sFat) cognitive (cFat). Whole-brain grey matter volume (GMV) was analysed using CAT12 SPM12. We calculated group differences between as well subgroups extracted raw values anatomical regions significant groups (at p<.005; k=173) for subsequent correlation analyses sFat cFat (Spearman’s ρ). Results had significantly higher mean scores than (both cFat, p<0.001). aCD qCD, were not (p>0.2). Differences GMV (aCD+qCD) detected frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital cortex, putamen cerebellum (all p<.005). Across patient group, above mentioned negatively correlated (Fig. 1). Subgroup analysis revealed negative inferior frontal gyrus aCD, while several other associated both qCD p<.05). No positive correlations observed. Conclusion suggests involvement symptoms CD. more CD, this widespread results indicate possible and/or processing different disease states reflect disturbed brain-gut-interactions fatigue. These findings can help increase our understanding that therapeutic approaches targeting need be considered depending on activity.