The relationship between different information sources and disease‐related patient knowledge and anxiety in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Summary Background Patient education forms a cornerstone of management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Internet has opened new avenues for information gathering. Aim To determine the relationship between different information sources and patient knowledge and anxiety in patients with IBD. Methods The use of information sources in patients with IBD was examined via questionnaire. Anxiety was assessed with the hospital anxiety and depression scale and disease‐related patient knowledge with the Crohn's and colitis knowledge score questionnaires. Associations between these outcomes and demographics, disease‐related factors, and use of different information sources were analysed using linear regression analysis. Results Of 307 patients (165 Crohn's disease, 142 ulcerative colitis) 60.6% were female. Participants used the hospital IBD team (82.3%), official leaflets (59.5%), and official websites (53.5%) most frequently in contrast to alternative health websites (9%). University education (P < 0.001), use of immunosuppressants (P = 0.025), Crohn's and Colitis UK membership (P = 0.001), frequent use of the hospital IBD team (P = 0.032), and frequent use of official information websites (P = 0.005) were associated with higher disease‐related patient knowledge. Female sex (P = 0.004), clinically active disease (P < 0.001), frequent use of general practitioners (P = 0.014), alternative health websites (homoeopathy, nutritionists, etc.) (P = 0.004) and random links (P = 0.016) were independently associated with higher anxiety. Conclusions Different patient information sources are associated with better knowledge or worse anxiety levels. Face‐to‐face education and written information materials remain the first line of patient education. Patients should be guided towards official information websites and warned about the association between the use of alternative health websites or random links and anxiety.

The incidence and predictors of depressive and anxiety symptoms in older adults with vision impairment: a longitudinal prospective cohort study

“…In addition, relatively younger older adults have the ability to gather different sources of information on the Internet about their prognosis. One study concluded that consulting non‐official information websites such as alternative health websites and random links, is associated with higher anxiety levels . Furthermore, this part of the population is still able to work and our results show that those who experience hindrance at work more often develop anxiety symptoms.…”

Analysis of Network Structure and Doctor Behaviors in E-Health Communities from a Social-Capital Perspective

“…Round boxes represent individual doctors, red represents individuals with core attributes, and gray represents individuals with edge attributes. Among them, some doctors (individuals 1, 2, 3, 8, 10,12,31,34,35,36,39,40,42,44,47,53,56,61,62,66,68,69,73,84,86,87,92,96,100,102) are in the core area. According to the calculation results, the core area network density in the network is 0.455, and the periphery area network density is 0.181.…”

“…Communication in the community covers many areas, not just medicine [42][43][44][45][46]. In the process of information exchange, different patients and doctors might need different types and quantities of information [47]. Doctors in the community conduct information interactions related to all aspects of medical care on an as-needed basis.…”

Comparative Readability Analysis of Online Patient Education Resources on Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

“…Anxiety and depression have been shown to have robust association with IBD [31] and are known to influence disease activity [32]. This fact can be compounded by accessing information using random links or alternative health websites [33]. According to a study done in 2012, the annual direct cost of IBD in the United States was $6.3 billion ($3.6 billion for CD, $2.7 billion for UC) [34].…”