The majority of the studies reported a high burden of work-related outcomes among inflammatory bowel disease patients regardless of the methodology used .
Inflammatory bowel disease patients experience a high burden in work-related outcomes .
BACKGROUND & AIMS Inflammatory bowel disease has considerable effects on work-related outcomes and leads to high societal costs due to sick leave and disability pension .
The aims of this study were to systematic ally review evidence on work-related outcomes that are relevant to productivity losses and to evaluate whether medical or surgical interventions have a positive impact on patients ' work ability .
Employment problems and prospects for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
A r and om sample of 170 patients ( 88 men ) with chronic inflammatory bowel disease ( 75 ulcerative colitis ) were first interviewed in 1978 about their employment status , problems at work , and influence of surgery .  Surgery had been carried out on 120 and 53 had an ileostomy . After six years 144 ( 92 % ) of the 156 survivors replied to a follow up postal question naire . Of the initial sample , 122 ( 72 % ) were working and there were only three ( 1 % ) registered unemployed . After six years a similar proportion were working and only seven ( 5 % ) were unemployed . Continuity of employment was good with 57 % in the same job . Changes in work because of health had been made by 72 patients mainly caused by bowel disease . After surgery 10 % completely changed and 22 % modified their work while a few had to retrain or retire . Panproctocolectomy and ileostomy result ed in more changes and longer time off work after surgery than colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis , with 35 % and 17 % respectively off work after one year . Problems at work , in particular general malaise and arthritis were experienced by 34 ( 28 % ) patients . Fewer problems were experienced by patients with a stoma who also had less sickness absence than those without a stoma . Colleagues and employers were usually supportive although some patients encountered discrimination especially those with a stoma or working in the food industry . Few patients had been counselled on their work . In general employment prospect s and time off work were good and employers should be encouraged to take an optimistic and supportive role . Doctors should consider that convalescence after surgery may be longer than they perceive and must provide better counselling for patients
The majority of the studies reported a high burden of work-related outcomes among inflammatory bowel disease patients regardless of the methodology used .
Inflammatory bowel disease patients experience a high burden in work-related outcomes .
BACKGROUND & AIMS Inflammatory bowel disease has considerable effects on work-related outcomes and leads to high societal costs due to sick leave and disability pension .
The aims of this study were to systematic ally review evidence on work-related outcomes that are relevant to productivity losses and to evaluate whether medical or surgical interventions have a positive impact on patients ' work ability .