title: Family planning and inflammatory bowel disease: the patient and the practitioner.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are commonly in their child-bearing years. Maintainance medication, as recommended by international guidelines, is an emotive topic and an anxiety source. This study measures the awareness of patients and primary practitioners of the issues involved.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective questionnaire was sent to female patients (18-50 years) with an IBD diagnosis in Kerry General Hospital, Ireland, who were identified from radiology and pathology databases. A seperate questionnaire was sent to General Practitioners (GPs) in the region.
  
  
  RESULTS
  About 31 female patients (42%) and 49 GPs (43%) returned completed questionnaires. About 29% had Crohn's disease and 71% ulcerative colitis. A total of 42% of patients would allow having IBD or its treatment to influence decisions about family planning. Most patients were on maintainance medications. Despite this, 68% had not discussed family planning with a doctor. One-third believed all medications should be stopped during pregnancy and 68% reported significant anxiety about future pregnancies. A total of 68% GPs report regular contact with IBD patients, but consultations with pregnant IBD patients are less frequent. About 41% of GPs have not opportunistically raised family planning with this patient group and 67% would refer to a tertiary specialist for advice. About 2% of GP's had need to research the topic in the last 12 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a significant patient knowledge deficit about pregnancy and IBD resulting in unwarranted fears and anxiety. Further evidence based education for GP's with increased gastroenterologist/IBD nurse specialist support should maximize exploitation of health promotion opportunities to electively address this issue.
authors: Department of Surgery, Kerry General Hospital Tralee, Co Kerry, Ireland. toomey.des@gmail.com
authors: Desmond
authors: D
authors: Toomey
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Waldron
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D003376:Counseling; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005193:Family Planning Services; D005260:Female; D058006:General Practice; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011247:Pregnancy; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D043762:Reproductive Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult