title: Estimation of quality of life in Cypriot patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients suffering with idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
  
  
  METHODS
  The Greek validated version of the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire was used for evaluating the quality of life of IBD patients. The questionnaire was distributed to 100 consecutive patients suffering from IBD and presenting for a clinic appointment at the endoscopy unit of Larnaca General Hospital during the period from October to November 2012. The criteria for participating in this study were constituted by the documented diagnosis of either ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's disease (CD) after endoscopy and histologic examination at least 6 months before the study, adult patients (18 years old or older), the capability of verbal communication and the patient's written consent for attending this study. The majority of the questionnaires were completed by a nurse practitioner who specializes in IBD patient care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regarding the physical dimension in patients with UC, males scored significantly higher than females (4.2vs3.4,P= 0.023). Higher scores were also observed in UC patients younger than 35 or older than 50 years (4.0 and 4.2vs3.2, respectively,P= 0.021). The psychological dimension revealed similar results in patients with UC, with males, and older ages scoring higher (5.0vs3.0,P= 0.01 and 4.7vs2.7,P< 0.5, respectively), whereas regarding CD higher scores were observed in married compared to unmarried (3.83vs2.33,P= 0.042). No statistical differences in any parameters in the social dimension were observed. Regarding the treatment of, patients with CD, overall higher scores were observed when treated with biological factors compared to standard therapy in all dimensions but with statistical significant difference in the social dimension (5.00vs3.25,P= 0.045).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study reveals a negative impact of IBD on HRQoL. Increased risks are age and gender in patients with UC and family status in patients with CD.
authors.affiliation: Maria Tsoukka, Postgraduate Program Health Management, Frederick University, Nicosia, Cyprus University General Hospital of Larnaca, 7020 Larnaca, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsoukka
authors.affiliation: Maria Tsoukka, Postgraduate Program Health Management, Frederick University, Nicosia, Cyprus University General Hospital of Larnaca, 7020 Larnaca, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Eleni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jelastopulu
authors.affiliation: Maria Tsoukka, Postgraduate Program Health Management, Frederick University, Nicosia, Cyprus University General Hospital of Larnaca, 7020 Larnaca, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Giagkos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lavranos
authors.affiliation: Maria Tsoukka, Postgraduate Program Health Management, Frederick University, Nicosia, Cyprus University General Hospital of Larnaca, 7020 Larnaca, Cyprus.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Charalambous
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001685:Biological Factors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003535:Cyprus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001685:Biological Factors
keywords: Crohn’s disease; Health related quality of life; Quality of life; Short inflammatory bowel disease questionnaire; Ulcerative colitis