Health related quality of life in patients with Cohn's disease in remission

Abstract

Crohn's disease (CD) affects Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) especially in patients with clinical activity but their impact over the disease during periods of remission has not been sufficiently studied. To evaluate HRQoL in CD patients in remission and to identify socio-demographic and clinical factors related. We included patients with CD in remission for at least 6 months, defined as a CDAI < 150 and a CRP < 5 mg/L. Socio-demographic and clinical parameters were recorded. HRQoL was evaluated with Short Form 36 Questionnaire (SF-36) and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ). Results were analyzed using multiple regressions with a confidence interval of 95%. Nine two patients (X = 37 +- 11.4 years, 52.2% men) were consecutively included. Two patients failed to fill correctly the questionnaire and were excluded. Scores on the SF-36 were lower than in the general population of similar age and sex. The most affected dimension in the SF-36 was General Health (47.98 +- 19.58) and the IBDQ Systemic Symptoms (5.15 +- 1.27). Age, colonic location and previous surgery was related with worse HRQoL, while higher educational status, more time since diagnosis, steroid-resistance and inflammatory behavior, was associated with better HRQoL. Despite being in remission, CD patients had affected their HRQoL, so we must continue working to achieve improvement in HRQL of these patients during these periods of the disease.