P0959 Mode of treatment choice by the patients with Inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Yehia A , Mudege BSc. T , Hoque S 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Background
Patients with IBD often face complex treatment regimens, oral or parenteral drug administration. Patients prefer oral treatments when both options are available and equally effective1, for their convenience, and reducing the need for frequent clinical visits2. Patients often report that parenteral treatments cause discomfort, which influences their desire to avoid these forms when possible3. However, there is lack of, evidence to preference within modern lifestyle and protean choices in the current treatment landscape of IBD.

Objective
We explored patients’ preference for oral, self-injecting (SC) or hospital infusions and relevant factors influencing choices- demographics, previous and current medications use, IBD- disease type UC (ulcerative colitis), CD (Crohn’s disease), disease extent and duration of the disease.

Methods
A systematic survey in a large teaching hospital was performed, targeting patients attending IBD clinics. A questionnaire2 was randomly administered.

Results
Patients (n-100) completed the survey (female 48% and male 52%). Age range 18-89, mean 30-39. Disease type (UC 48% and CD 52%). Length of diagnosis (&gt;10yrs: 56%, 5-10: 16%, 1-5: 21% and &lt;1yr :7%), respectively. Current medication - tablets 42%, SC 23%, hospital infusions 17% and no medication 26%, respectively.
For patients on tablets, 54% prefer to take tablets over other modes of treatment. However, those on SC, prefer to take tablets in 47% of cases. On the other hand, Hospital infusions patients prefer to taking tablet in 43% of the cases, SC 29%, and staying on hospital infusions 28%, respectively.
Regarding age and patients’ preferences, shows a tendency to prefer SC in the younger group of patients (age 20-39).
Regarding gender and preference, for tablet vs SC and infusion, it appears female prefer oral tablet, over infusion or SC compared to male counterpart but the difference is statistically insignificant (p= 0.42). Table 1.
Regarding disease duration and preference to mode of treatment, it shows that patients with longer disease duration (&gt; 5 years) tend to prefer parenteral treatment (SC and & Infusions). Table 2.

Conclusion
This survey showed that half of the IBD patients prefer oral medication, with increasing acceptance of parenteral, such as, SC and hospital infusions. Male patients and patients with longer disease duration tend to prefer oral medications. Our sample size was small, further studies are required to verify this observation

References
1.Bager, P., et al. (2011). Patient preferences for oral versus parenteral treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 45(7), 639-644.
2.IBD Oral versus Parental Therapy Survey (office.com)
3.Lichtenstein, G. R., et al. (2010). Convenience of oral therapies in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. American Journal of Gastroenterology, 105(6), 1367-1376.
4.Hart, A., et al. (2014). Quality of life in IBD patients using oral and parenteral treatments. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 20(4), 632-640.