[Inflammatory bowel diseases as multi-focal disorders: results from a multi-regional survey on bodily and psychosocial problems in IBD patients].
BACKGROUND
Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) experience various bodily and psychosocial impairments. We report data from a recent German questionnaire survey.


METHODS
The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2005 as a postal survey in three regions in West (Kiel and Luebeck, Regensburg) and East (Halle/Saale) Germany. Patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (CD, UC) were recruited from specialized gastroenterological practices, university outpatient clinics, and the registry of a prominent patient organization (DCCV). The questionnaire followed the concept and distinctions of WHO's ICF and incorporated (inter-)nationally established items and scales (i. a. HADS).


RESULTS
Survey responders (n = 1083, CD: 58 %, 65 % female) had a mean age of 42 years with an average disease duration of 13 years. 25 % suffered severely or very severely from their disease in general, one third stated at least severe fatigue, and 52 % felt profoundly affected by stress. A clinically relevant anxiety was observed in 24 % with no relevant difference between males and females. Depression was more common in men (29 %) than in women (21 %). Restrictions in social participation (family life, work) were actually prominent in at least a quarter of the responders.


CONCLUSIONS
Beside somatic ailments typical for the disease, patients also reported multiple psychosocial impairments and participation restrictions and should hence profit from a multi- and interdisciplinary team care.
Hardt
J
J
Institut für Sozialmedizin, Universität zu Lübeck, Lübeck. Juliane.Hardt@uk-sh.de
Muche-Borowski
C
C
Conrad
S
S
Balzer
K
K
Bokemeyer
B
B
Raspe
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D003625:Data Collection; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011584:Psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult