Impact of inflammatory bowel disease on daily life: An online survey by the Korean association for the study of intestinal diseases

Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases (KASID)

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33 Scopus citations

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)338-344
Number of pages7
JournalIntestinal Research
Volume15
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017. Korean Association for the Study of Intestinal Diseases. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • Colitis
  • Crohn disease
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Quality of life
  • Surveys and questionnaires
  • Ulcerative

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