Psychological burden and quality of life in newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease patients

Abstract

ObjectivePsychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, are frequently related to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, few studies have examined these factors in patients newly diagnosed with IBD. The aim of the present study was to test the psychological burden in patients with a recent diagnosis of IBD and the factors related to this psychological burden.MethodsWe performed a prospective, multi-center, observational study in patients with a new diagnosis of IBD (≤6 months). The patients were recruited from four different Spanish hospitals. Clinical and demographic characteristics were collected. Patients were evaluated using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and quality of life questionnaire for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBDQ-32). The Scale of Stress Perceived by the Disease was used to assess stressful life events.ResultsWe included 156 patients newly diagnosed with IBD [69 women; 80 Crohn’s disease (CD) and 76 ulcerative colitis (UC)], with a mean age of 42.3 (SD 16.21) years. A total of 37.2% of patients had symptoms of anxiety and 17.3% had symptoms of depression. Quality of life was affected in 30.1% of patients. Factors related to anxiety in early IBD were being a woman and having CD. The only factor related to depression was the presence of comorbidity. Being a woman and having suffered previous stressful life events were factors related to impaired quality of life.ConclusionAnxiety, depression, and impaired quality of life are frequent in patients with a recent diagnosis of IBD. This psychological burden is greater in women.

Insights into disability and psycho-social care of patients with inflammatory bowel disease

“…Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), belonging to the group of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), are chronic relapsing inflammatory conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract ( 1 ) with incidence rising among pediatric populations and in developing nations ( 2 , 3 ). The lifelong duration of IBD can lead to progressive bowel damage and disability, significantly impacting patients’ social, physical, and psychological aspects and directly influencing their overall well-being ( 4 , 5 ).…”

Fecal metaproteomics enables functional characterization of remission in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

“…Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), summarized under the term inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), are chronic, recurrent inflammations of the intestinal tract that place enormous physical and psychosocial burdens on the patient [1, 2]. IBD has been shown to be linked to the patient’s genetics and environmental factors.…”

The impact of cognitive functions, psychological disorders, and coping strategies on quality of life and disease outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases: A cross-sectional study

“…[ 6 ] Adults with IBD have a higher prevalence of psychological disorders than the general population, with anxiety and depression rates of 20% and 15%, respectively, [ 7 ] both of which negatively affect QoL. [ 8 ] Furthermore, patients with IBD tend to develop poor coping strategies that focus on emotions rather than on active problem-solving strategies [ 9 ] which further worsens their QoL. [ 10 ]…”