This prospective observational study aims to evaluate the validity of ultrasonographic muscle measurements in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Sarcopenia is commonly assessed using computed tomography (CT)-based skeletal muscle area measurements at the L3 vertebral level, which are considered a gold standard method. However, CT is not always feasible due to radiation exposure and accessibility limitations.
In this study, muscle strength will be assessed using handgrip dynamometry, and muscle mass will be evaluated using ultrasonography of selected skeletal muscles. In patients with available recent abdominal CT imaging, L3 skeletal muscle area will be recorded. The primary objective is to compare ultrasonographic muscle measurements with CT-based assessments and to evaluate the agreement between these methods.
This study aims to determine whether ultrasonography can serve as a practical and reliable alternative tool for muscle mass evaluation in patients with IBD.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age ≥18 years
* Established diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease (ICD-10: K50.\* Crohn's disease, K51.\* ulcerative colitis)
* Ability to provide written informed consent
* Ability to undergo ultrasonographic muscle assessment and handgrip strength testing
* Availability of an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan performed within the previous 6 months
Exclusion Criteria:
* Known neuromuscular disorders or primary muscle diseases
* Major orthopedic conditions affecting muscle strength assessment
* Pregnancy
* Abdominal wall defects or conditions interfering with ultrasound assessment
* Incomplete clinical or imaging data
* Any condition preventing reliable ultrasound or handgrip measurement
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Agreement Between Ultrasound and Reference Muscle Measurement