Individuals with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) have an increased risk of developing psychiatric comorbidities, including eating disorders (EDs). We aimed to investigate the potential association between key disease characteristics, including psychological features, and the development of EDs in a clinical sample of adolescents with IBDs. We enrolled 52 adolescents with IBDs, 83% of whom were in clinical remission, and systematically collected additional information on disease duration, the total number of relapses, the use of steroids, and the number of hospital admissions. All participants completed a validated psychometric battery assessing psychological symptoms (Symptom Checklist-90–Revised, SCL-90-R), alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20, TAS-20), and ED symptomatology (Eating Disorders Inventory-3rd edition, EDI-3). About one in ten patients (9.6%) reported Eating Disorder Risk scores higher than the cut-off on the EDI-3 subscale, specifically addressing the risk of developing EDs. According to the EDI-3 scores, the risk of developing EDs directly correlated with the number of total relapses of IBDs (p < 0.05). The TAS-total scores also correlated with the number of total relapses (p < 0.01), as well as with the number of steroid cycles (p < 0.05), the number of hospital admissions (p < 0.05), and overall disease duration (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that disease relapses increase the risk of developing both EDs and alexithymia in adolescents with IBDs. The recurrence of disease relapses should be identified and screened early on to prevent the onset of psychiatric disorders, including EDs. Research should be conducted on larger samples with different IBD phenotypes to further investigate the characteristics of patients with IBDs at risk of developing EDs.

Glycogen storage disease type Ib (GSD Ib) is a rare hereditary glycogen disorder that results in inadequate maintenance of glucose homeostasis, accumulation of glycogen in different organs, loss and dysfunction of neutrophils. Crohn’s-like disease is observed in up to 24–77% of GDS Ib cases. Recently, empagliflozin has been recommended as a treatment for neutrophil dysfunction in GDS Ib patients with or without Crohn’s-like disease. There are no guidelines for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) manifestation in GSD Ib patients, although some cases have been treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and others with IBD conventional therapy, resulting in partial IBD remission. Herein, we describe a child with GDS Ib and Crohn’s-like disease who was treated with empagliflozin and achieved complete remission after 2 years of treatment. This case is the first one with such a long follow-up evaluation including endoscopic and magnetic resonance enterography assessment. Our clinical evidence of remission of IBD manifestation in our GSD Ib patient and the role of neutrophils in GDS Ib described in the literature suggest a strong association with IBD pathophysiology and neutrophil function. The use of empagliflozin resulted in significant improvements in gastrointestinal symptoms, reduced drug usage, and enhanced quality of life in the patient, with a favorable safety profile, offering a promising new therapeutic option for this population.