Perceptions of medication safety among patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess attitudes towards and knowledge of medication safety in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD patients frequently require long-term treatment with potentially toxic medications. Techniques are employed to improve patient awareness of medication safety, but there are sparse data on their effectiveness.


METHODS
Questionnaires relating to the safety and efficacy of commonly used IBD treatments (aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biologics) were completed by IBD patients attending the gastroenterology clinics at a teaching hospital.


RESULTS
One hundred patients (51 male) with a median (interquartile range) age of 37 (29-49) years were included: 56 Crohn's disease, 44 ulcerative colitis. Aminosalicylates (median 0.8 (IQR 0.1-1.9)) were ranked as the safest medication; corticosteroids (4.6 (1.1-8.2)), immunomodulators (4.2 (1.1-8.4) and biologics (4.4 (1.1-6.8)) were ranked equally. 36%, 53% and 79% reported no knowledge regarding safety of corticosteroids, immunomodulators and biologics, respectively. Most patients wish to be informed of all medication side-effects, no matter how rare, and ranked their gastroenterologist as their primary information source.


CONCLUSIONS
IBD patients want to be informed of all potential adverse events and identify their gastroenterologist as their principal information source. The majority have no knowledge regarding or underestimate the toxicity of common IBD medications. This places a responsibility on gastroenterologists to manage and meet patients' expectations in the area of medication safety.
Cullen
Garret
G
Department of Gastroenterology, Beaumont Hospital and Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland. garret.cullen@ucd.ie
Donnellan
Fergal
F
Long
Syapiq
S
Forry
Mary
M
Murray
Frank E
FE
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents