Factors of coping difficulties in IBD revealed

Female gender, a higher disease activity, a deficient understanding of the disease, a reduced sense of control over the disease, and an increased perception of disease stigma were all related to coping difficulties in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The identification of these factors provides a starting point for the development of targeted psychological interventions. In this way, the results of this study could help to improve the psychological wellbeing of IBD patients.

A cross-sectional study, using data from a large national survey performed by Crohn’s and Colitis UK, was conducted to investigate factors associated with coping in IBD patients (n=802, mean age 45.5 years) [1]. Ordinal regression analysis was performed to examine the data.

The multivariable analysis showed that females were at higher risk of reporting coping difficulties than males (OR 1.60). A higher disease activity (OR 2.64) and increased perceptions of disease-related stigma (OR 2.12) were also associated with coping difficulties in this population. A better understanding of the disease (OR 0.81) and a higher level of perceived control over the disease (OR 0.68) were related to fewer difficulties with coping.

The authors argued that interventions targeting the improvement of the psychological wellbeing of IBD patients should address the adjustable factors revealed in this study, such as illness perceptions, and sense of control over the disease. In addition, public awareness on IBD-related stigma should be raised to counter the impact of this factor on patients’ psychological wellbeing. Furthermore, clinicians should take into account that females with a high disease activity are particularly at risk of experiencing difficulties in coping with their disease.

1. Marshall J, et al. Coping in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: insights from a national survey. P105, ECCO 2021 Virtual Congress, 2-3 & 8-10 July.

 

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Posted on 2 July 20218 April 2024