Background:Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has a significant impact on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study aims to investigate the variables which can be attributed to HRQOL in IBD patients.Materials and Methods:Seventy-one patients filled in IBD questionnaire (IBDQ-32), Pittsburgh sleep quality index questionnaire, and sociodemographic questionnaire. Disease activity was assessed by Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) and ulcerative colitis activity index (UCAI). The correlations of sleep quality, sociodemographic variables, and disease characteristics with IBDQ were investigated.Results:IBDQ-32 mean score was lower in patients who had hospitalization (P = 0.01), poor sleep quality (P < 0.001), anemia (P = 0.03), more severe disease (P = 0.01), and those who had not consumed folic acid (P = 0.01) relative to their counterparts. A multivariate regression analysis identified the predictors of decreased HRQOL as not consuming folic acid (P = 0.008), poor sleep quality (P = 0.014), and disease severity (P = 0.043).Conclusion:Impaired HRQOL was significantly associated with poor sleep quality, lack of folic acid consumption, and disease severity in IBD patients. Therefore, evaluation of folic acid level and efficacy of its supplementation in prospective studies is recommended. Treatment of sleep disturbance with pharmacological agents and nonpharmacological methods should be kept in mind as well.

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Background:Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) incidence has been increased in Iran as a developing country. Surveillance is a standard method for accessing valid data about disease epidemiology to make relevant decisions for disease control, prevention, and management. We designed Isfahan IBD Surveillance Project (IISP) to make a surveillance system in this area.Methods:The project is designed in 3 phases. At the first phase, a model of step-wise approach (core, expanded core, and optional variables) for IBD surveillance was designed and implemented among IBD patients registered at a major referral gastrointestinal diseases clinic in Isfahan. Data bank program and its software were designed with suitable and multifunctional features. A total of 352 IBD cases were registered to data bank and analyzed as a pilot study of IISP.Results:A total of 352 IBD patients, including 245 ulcerative colitis (UC), 80 Crohn's disease (CD), and 27 indeterminate colitis, were registered to the data bank. Bloody stool and abdominal cramp were the most common presentation symptom among UC and CD, respectively. Extensive pancolitis was the most prevalent phenotype (40%) of UC. Over two-thirds of our IBD patients were in remission states. Biologic agents had been prescribed in about 10% of patients during disease. Primary sclerosing cholangitis was detected in about 7% and 10% of CD and UC patients, respectively.Conclusions:Valid data from a standard surveillance system are a relevant, trustworthy tool for making decision by health policy-makers. Integrated comprehensive interventional programs for disease control and management is the second phase of IISP.

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