P780 Persistence of Health-related Quality of life decline in IBD patients after the COVID-19 outbreak

Abstract

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affects many aspects of a patient’s life and impairs their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We previously showed that there was a negative impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the HRQoL of IBD patients in remission. This study aimed to assess if IBD patients in stable, clinical remission could recover their pre-outbreak HRQoL once the global emergency for COVID-19 ended. We also compared their self-perceived stress scores during and after the outbreak. Methods We carried out a prospective, observational study on IBD patients with biological treatment and stable clinical remission who had participated in the previous study. Patients filled in the IBDQ9 and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) electronically. The results of the IBDQ9 pre-, during, and post-COVID-19 outbreak were compared to determine any changes. PSS scores during and after the outbreak were also compared. Results Ninety-three patients in clinical remission were included, with a median age of 43 years; 40% were female, and 78% had Crohn’s disease. Median pre-COVID-19 IBDQ9 was 54 (50-59) and decreased to 50 (46-58) during the outbreak, and post-outbreak was 49 (44-56) (p<0.01). PSS score improved after the outbreak, with a median value of 10 (8-18) during the outbreak and a score of 14 (9-19) after the pandemic. There was a significant negative correlation between the PSS (during the outbreak) and post-outbreak IBDQ9 (r=-0.76, p<0.001). Regression analysis showed that the PSS score during the outbreak was independently associated with a lower post-outbreak IBDQ-9 (p<0.05). Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a negative impact on the HRQoL of IBD patients in remission that persists after the outbreak, with higher self-perceived stress scores during the pandemic associated with a lower post-outbreak QoL. The results of this study underscore the long-term impact that unexpected situations can have on IBD patient's HRQoL. Unforeseen circumstances are mostly non-predictable, as the COVID-19 outbreak has shown, and measures to provide high-quality health care, including access to mental care, will hopefully be implemented for IBD patient care.