Journal of psychosomatic research
Cure8 research brief
Why This Matters
Fatigue is common and disabling for people with IBD; this study shows that factors beyond intestinal inflammation—especially central sensitization and psychological symptoms—explain much of fatigue. That means treating inflammation alone may not resolve fatigue for many patients.
Who Should Pay Attention
Adult IBD patients experiencing fatigue, gastroenterologists and IBD nurses, pain specialists, psychologists/psychiatrists, and researchers studying IBD-related fatigue.
Study Snapshot
Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeResearch paper
Source depthJournal abstract
What To Know
The study measured fatigue, central sensitization, depression, and anxiety alongside routine inflammatory and hematologic tests.
Central-sensitization-related symptoms showed the strongest association with fatigue severity; depressive symptoms were associated in the main analysis but lost significance in a sensitivity analysis that removed overlapping fatigue items. Fecal calprotectin retained an independent, smaller association, while CRP and hemoglobin did not.
How this might affect people with IBD: Fatigue can arise from multiple sources—not only active gut inflammation.
Assessments that include centralized pain/sensitization and psychological factors, plus fecal calprotectin when indicated, may better identify drivers of fatigue and guide referrals (e.g., to pain specialists, physiotherapy, psychology) rather than focusing solely on escalating anti-inflammatory treatment.
Limitations and tone: This is a cross-sectional association study (no causal claims), with a modest sample size and outpatient population. It supports a broader, integrated approach to fatigue but does not test specific interventions.
Keep In Mind
Cross-sectional design cannot prove causation. The study used validated questionnaires and routine lab markers; fecal calprotectin was independently associated but had a smaller effect than central-sensitization symptoms. Results come from an outpatient clinic sample and may not generalize to all IBD populations.
Source Details
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Research paper
Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationJournal of psychosomatic research
AuthorsCaruso A, Viscido A, Di Giacomo D +2 more
Study typeIm, journal article
Indexed viaEurope PMC
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedAug 11, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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