A multiprofessional education programme for patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Health-related quality of life is impaired in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and improved disease-related information can improve this situation. The aims of this study were to create an education programme that could be readily applicable at the clinic and would be suitable for newly diagnosed patients with inflammatory bowel disease, and to investigate whether the programme could improve their health-related quality of life.


METHODS
Ninety-three patients with inflammatory bowel disease in remission were included and randomized to an intervention group or a control group. The intervention group attended a multiprofessional education programme while the control group received regular information. Four questionnaires were used for measuring health-related quality of life. Both groups completed the questionnaires at baseline and after 6 months. The intervention group also completed the questionnaires after 1 month.


RESULTS
No significant differences were found when comparing the two groups at 6 months. However, the multi-professional education programme was highly appreciated by the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
In the present study no improvement could be seen in health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease after participating in an education programme in comparison with the control group. This might be due to the fact that the questionnaires were not sensitive enough or that some patients were not in clinical remission. The patients' enthusiasm for the multiprofessional education programme has led to its being part of the regular care at the clinic.
Jäghult
Susanna
S
Karolinska Institutet, Department of Clinical Sciences, Danderyd University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. susanna.jaghult@ds.se
Larson
Jenny
J
Wredling
Regina
R
Kapraali
Marjo
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome