Latent profile analysis of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in remission: A cross-sectional study

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in remission experience a high incidence of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) because of recurrent symptoms and long-term dietary management, which severely impair their quality of life. Varying degrees of ARFID exert differential effects on patients' health status. However, the distribution characteristics of specific types of ARFID as well as their associated influencing factors among IBD patients in remission remain unclear and warrant further investigation. This study aims to explore the potential profiles of ARFID in patients with IBD in remission and to analyze the factors associated with these distinct potential profiles. A cohort of 239 participants was assembled for this cross-sectional investigation. These individuals, diagnosed with IBD and in clinical remission, were recruited from a specialized gastroenterology unit within a tertiary care facility located in Nanjing, China. The enrollment period spanned from June to September 2025. Utilizing convenience sampling, eligible patients were selected as research subjects following established methodological protocols. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that patients who were employed full-time or reported a higher food-related quality of life were more likely to be classified into the High ARFID Symptom Risk Group than into the Low ARFID Symptom Risk Group, whereas patients with higher levels of gastrointestinal-specific anxiety were more likely to be classified into the Low ARFID Symptom Risk Group (P < .05). The results of the latent profile analysis revealed that the ARFID characteristics in IBD patients in remission could be categorized into 2 latent profiles: a High ARFID Symptom Risk Group (n = 139, 58.2%) and a Low ARFID Symptom Risk Group (n = 100, 41.8%). Health care professionals should prioritize identifying varying levels of ARFID among patients, with a particular focus on those who exhibit high-level ARFID (especially those who report feeling subjectively well but who demonstrate high-risk behaviors). It is essential to enhance the structured assessment of their dietary behaviors and implement targeted psychological and behavioral interventions to improve the capacity for identifying and addressing dietary-related risks, thereby alleviating these patients' ARFID symptoms.