N35 Psycological discomfort in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Diaz Rodriguez D , Granados Martin M , Liliana L R H 
Published: January 2025

Background

IBD can affect seriously to mental health(1). Social life, relationships and emotional well-being can be challenging day after day. Patients can suffer from frustration, sadness and psychological discomfort during diagnosis, remission and specially during flares. Depression and anxiety are common in patients with IBD, and are associated to a higher chance of relapse. Furthermore, there is a two-way relationship between anxiety and depression(2) and IBD, which worsen the quality of life(3).

The aim of this study is to determine the presence of anxiety and/or depression in patients with IBD

Methods

A transversal study was carried out in Hospital Universitario del Henares. 50 patients with IBD were enrolled, both genders, 18-65 years old, with no cognitive deterioration. All patients were seen at the outpatient nursing clinic during first quarter of 2023.

Data were collected in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)(4) and in a questionnaire ad hoc. Variables: sociodemographic, IBD activity, health status and lifestyle. Anxiety and depression level was considered with a higher punctuation of 8. A descriptive analysis was carried out with qualitative and quantitative variables. Students-T for quantitative variables and Chi-square for qualitative variables

Results

Women: 52%, 52.78 years old (SD 12), Chron disease: 60%, IBD for more than 10 years: 42%; biologic treatment: 57%. Activity: remission: 60%, mild: 26%. Smoking: 18%, regular physical exercise: 53%. Body Max Index (BMI): 27.21 kg/m2 (SD 5.95), overweight 28%, obesity 16%.

HADS: anxiety 9 (SD 12) and depression 5.76 (SD 3.7). 66% presented anxiety scores, and 28% depression scores.

Bilateral analysis between anxiety variable and independent variables, showed that women presented higher anxiety levels (p=0.036). The hypothesis of independence is rejected, that is to say, anxiety and independent variables are associated. Regarding to depression, those living with a partner suffer from higher depression levels (p=0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with IBD present higher percentages of anxiety and depression.

Anxiety is associated with being a woman, meanwhile depression is associated with living with a partner.

It is essential to evaluate psychological discomfort by using customized tools to local circumstances, so to suggest intervention strategies resulting in a better quality of life

References

(1)Bisgaard TH, Allin KH, Keefer L, Ananthakrishnan AN, Jess T. Depression and anxiety in inflammatory bowel disease: epidemiology, mechanisms and treatment. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2022;19(11):717-726. doi:10.1038/s41575-022-00634-6

(2)Feng L, Cai X, Zou Q, et al. Exploring the management and treatment of IBD from the perspective of psychological comorbidities. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2024;17:17562848241290685. Published 2024 Oct 16. doi:10.1177/17562848241290685

(3)Barreiro-de Acosta M, Marín-Jiménez I, Panadero A, et al. Recommendations of the Spanish Working Group on Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis (GETECCU) and the Association of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Patients (ACCU) in the management of psychological problems in Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients. Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;41(2):118-127. doi:10.1016/j.gastrohep.2017.10.003

(4)Herrero MJ, Blanch J, Peri JM, et al. A validation study of the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) in a Spanish population. Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2003;25(4):277-83.