Nociplastic Pain is Associated with Increased Healthcare Utilization and Lower Quality of Life in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Published on February 12, 2026

Am J Gastroenterol. 2026 Feb 12. doi: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000003948. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nociplastic pain (NP) may cause persistent abdominal pain despite well-controlled inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

METHODS: Five-hundred patients with IBD were retrospectively classified as acute IBD-related pain, chronic IBD-related pain, or NP. Multivariable regression identified factors associated with NP and differences in healthcare use, symptoms, and quality of life (QoL).

RESULTS: NP occurred in 15% of IBD patients and was associated with female sex, anxiety, depression, and higher social vulnerability. NP patients had more healthcare use and poorer quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS: NP is common in IBD and linked to psychosocial comorbidity, higher healthcare use, and reduced QoL.

PMID:41677131 | DOI:10.14309/ajg.0000000000003948

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