Gastrin levels in inflammatory bowel disease: links with disease activity, quality of life, and lifestyle

Abstract Background Gastrin, a digestive hormone, may be altered in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and linked to disease activity and gastrointestinal function. Our study aimed to assess serum gastrin levels in IBD patients versus healthy controls, focusing on associations with disease activity, quality of life, and lifestyle habits. Results Our cross-sectional analysis included 19 Crohn’s disease (CD) patients, 29 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, and 29 healthy controls. Serum gastrin was measured using ELISA. Quality of life was assessed with the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ). Lifestyle data included coffee intake, physical activity, spicy food sensitivity, and lactose intolerance. Disease activity was measured using the Crohn’s Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and Mayo score. Non-parametric tests and Spearman’s correlation were applied. CD patients had significantly lower serum gastrin levels than UC patients and controls. IBDQ scores were also lower in CD, particularly in systemic and social domains. CD patients consumed less coffee and reported more sensitivity to spicy foods and lactose intolerance. Physical activity levels did not differ significantly. Conclusions CD patients had significantly lower serum gastrin compared with both UC and controls. Dietary factors such as caffeine or capsaicin may modulate gastrin secretion and gastrointestinal sensitivity, influencing symptom burden and quality of life, thereby contributing to the overall disease experience in IBD.