Impact of inflammatory bowel disease on daily life: an online survey by the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases.
- Author:
Young Sun KIM
1
;
Sung Ae JUNG
;
Kang Moon LEE
;
Soo Jung PARK
;
Tae Oh KIM
;
Chang Hwan CHOI
;
Hyun Gun KIM
;
Won MOON
;
Chang Mo MOON
;
Hye Kyoung SONG
;
Soo Young NA
;
Suk Kyun YANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: Inflammatory bowel disease; Crohn disease; Colitis, ulcerative; Quality of life; Surveys and questionnaires
- MeSH: Colitis, Ulcerative; Crohn Disease; Discrimination (Psychology); Education; Fatigue; Friends; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases*; Intestinal Diseases*; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Intestinal Research 2017;15(3):338-344
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND/AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disabling gastrointestinal disorder that diminishes the quality of life of the affected individuals. Limited data are available regarding the impact of IBD on the daily life of Koreans. METHODS: Self-administered, computer-aided, internet-based questionnaires were distributed to members of a Korean patient organization for IBD from March to April 2013, by the Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases. RESULTS: A total of 599 patients with IBD (387 with Crohn's disease [CD] and 212 with ulcerative colitis [UC]) were enrolled. The majority of patients (81%) expressed feelings of fatigue, weakness, and being worn out in their daily lives during times of flare; this percentage was reduced to 61% during remission. Respondents were absent from work or school for an average period of 18 days because of illness, within the first 6 months; the majority of respondents (64%) felt stressed about their absence. Forty-six percent of the respondents reported having received unfair comments at work, or having suffered discrimination. Forty-seven percent of the respondents felt that IBD had negatively affected their income and earnings. Compared with patients with UC, those with CD reported a more frequent negative impact of IBD on work, or more economic burden. More than half of the respondents (61%) reported that IBD had prevented them from making or keeping friends. CONCLUSIONS: IBD significantly impacts daily life, including work, education, and social relationships. Treatment that addresses the full spectrum of life of a patient would be more effective.
