The effects of thiopurine therapy on health-related quality of life in Inflammatory Bowel Disease patients.
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.
Bastida
Guillermo
G
Gastroenterology Unit, La Fe Hospital, Valencia, 21 Campanar Avenue, Valencia 46009, Spain. gbastidap@sepd.org
Nos
Pilar
P
Aguas
Mariam
M
Beltrán
Belén
B
Iborra
Marisa
M
Ortiz
Vicente
V
Garrigues
Vicente
V
Estevan
Rafael
R
Ponce
Julio
J
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
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D000069285:Infliximab; D008780:Methyltransferases; C022745:thiopurine methyltransferase; D001379:Azathioprine