title: The effects of thiopurine therapy on health-related quality of life in Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of thiopurine immunomodulators on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has been controversial. The aims were to evaluate the HRQoL in patients with IBD treated with thiopurines and assess the short- and long-term impacts of the treatment on HRQoL.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-two consecutive patients who started treatment with thiopurines were prospectively included. Evaluation of HRQoL was performed at months 0, 6, and 12 using two questionnaires, the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline score of IBDQ was 4,6, range (2,31-6,84), with an impairment of the five dimensions of HRQoL compared with inactive patients. Results obtained in 8 dimensions of SF-36 showed worse HRQoL than Spanish general population. At 6 months patients had a significant improvement in overall IBDQ score -5,8 (1,58 -6,97)- and also in all IBDQ dimensions. All the 8 dimensions of SF-36 obtained a significant improvement. At twelve months score of IBDQ was 6,1, range (2,7-6,98), with improvement in all dimensions compared with baseline and 6 months. SF-36 showed a similar significant improvement in all subscales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thiopurine immunomodulators alone or with other treatments have a positive and long lasting impact on HRQoL of IBD patients.
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology Unit, La Fe Hospital, Valencia, 21 Campanar Avenue, Valencia 46009, Spain. gbastidap@sepd.org
authors.forename: Guillermo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bastida
authors.forename: Pilar
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nos
authors.forename: Mariam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aguas
authors.forename: Belén
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Beltrán
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iborra
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ortiz
authors.forename: Vicente
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Garrigues
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Estevan
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ponce
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D000069285:Infliximab; D008297:Male; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012074:Remission Induction; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069285:Infliximab; D008780:Methyltransferases; C022745:thiopurine methyltransferase; D001379:Azathioprine