Ricerc@Sapienza

In a recent meta-analysis, we showed that individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (i.g., Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) report poorer sleep quality compared to healthy individuals. In the present study, we aim to better define the role of insomnia (e.g., persistent difficulties falling asleep or maintain sleep) in the clinical manifestations of IBD. Epidemiological data estimate the prevalence of insomnia disorder from 6 to 20% in industrialised societies, with rates varying depending on country under study and methodological quality. While it is well-known that insomnia and other sleep problems (e.g., short sleep duration, poor sleep quality) can impact the immune function and inflammation, the role of insomnia in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unclear. Sleep duration and quality have key consequences for proinflammatory cytokines expression, which are considered mediators of inflammatory processes. For instance, individuals with insomnia show elevated levels of daytime IL-6 and TNF-a compared to good sleepers. Also, nocturnal levels of IL-6 are associated with perceived sleep quality and slow wave sleep. However, whether insomnia affects activity disease in IBD is still unclear. The aim of the study is to longitudinally explore the possibility that insomnia symptoms may be associated with worse objectively assessed IBD activity. The study will be conducted in collaboration with the U.O.C for "Malattie dell'apparato digerente e del fegato", Azienda Ospedaliera S. Andrea, Sapienza Università di Rome. Fifty participants with either Crohn's disease of ulcerative colitis will be recruited. Participants will complete a full physical and psychological assessment including measures of insomnia and IBD activity severity at baseline and at 6 months follow up.