High therapy adherence but substantial limitations to daily activities amongst members of the Dutch inflammatory bowel disease patients' organization: a patient empowerment study.
BACKGROUND
Adherence is important for successful treatment in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Previous studies demonstrated high prevalence of non-adherence.


OBJECTIVE
To assess IBD-patients' perceptions of therapy adherence and disease-related functional status in members of the Dutch patients' association of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (CCUVN).


METHODS
Inflammatory bowel disease-patients completed anonymously a survey at the website of the CCUVN. Statistical analysis was performed using principal component analysis, univariate and multivariate logistic regression.


RESULTS
The questionnaire was completed by 1067 patients [617 (58%) Crohn's disease (CD) and 450 (42%) ulcerative colitis (UC)]. Mean age was 43 years (s.d. 13.7); women (66%). Of 920 patients currently using medication, 797 (87%) were adherent. Of the patients using 5-ASA, 91% were adherent (527/582), vs. 96% using corticosteroids (316/330) and 97% (414/425) using immunosuppressives. CD patients (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.05-2.27), patients with duration of disease <or=8 years (OR 2.25; 95% CI 1.49-3.39) were more adherent. Fifty percent of patients reported a low functional status and were limited in daily activities.


CONCLUSIONS
This population-based study shows high therapy adherence, but low functional status in Dutch CCUVN-related IBD-patients. The high adherence rate in this present study could be an effect of CCUVN membership.
Baars
J E
JE
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. j.baars@erasmusmc.nl
Zelinkova
Z
Z
Mensink
P B F
PB
Markus
T
T
Looman
C W N
CW
Kuipers
E J
EJ
Van Der Woude
C J
CJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D010131:Aminosalicylic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D010131:Aminosalicylic Acid