Persistent Abdominal Pain in Patients with Inactive Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Clinical Conundrum

Emerging evidence suggests that such pain may result from complex interactions involving visceral hypersensitivity, alterations in the enteric nervous system, central sensitization, dysregulation of the gut-brain axis, and psychosocial factors, rather than ongoing mucosal inflammation. This review explores the multifactorial pathophysiology underlying persistent abdominal pain in inflammatory bowel disease remission and highlights the need for a comprehensive, biopsychosocial approach to diagnosis and treatment.