Mental health, work presenteeism, and exercise in inflammatory bowel disease

Martina Sciberras, Konstantinos Karmiris, Catarina Nascimento, Trevor Tabone, Penelope Nikolaou, Angeliki Theodoropoulou, Abigail Mula, Idan Goren, Henit Yanai, Hadar Amir, Gerassimnos J. Mantzaris, Tereza Georgiadi, Kalliopi Foteinogiannopoulou, Ioannis Koutroubakis, Mariangela Allocca, Gionata Fiorino, Federica Furfaro, Konstantinos Katsanos, Fotios Fousekis, George MichalopoulosLiberato Camilleri, Joana Torres, Pierre Ellul

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic diseases, such as IBD, can lead to anxiety and depression which can have a significant impact on productivity at work [presenteeism]. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression/anxiety, presenteeism and exercise levels among IBD patients. METHODS: This was a multicentre study whereby adult IBD patients, in clinical remission, were asked to answer a questionnaire anonymously. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Score [HADS], Stanford Presenteeism Scale [SPS-6] and Godin Exercise Score were also collected. RESULTS: A total of 585 patients were recruited. The majority had Crohn's disease [CD, 62.2%] and were male [53.0%], with a median age of 39 years [IQR 30-49]. A psychiatric diagnosis was present in 10.8% of patients prior to their IBD diagnosis. A further 14.2% of patients were psychiatrically diagnosed after IBD diagnosis, this being commoner in CD patients [41.6% of CD, p <0.01]. A raised HADS-Anxiety or a HADS-Depression score ≥8 was present in 46.1% of patients, with 27.4% having a score ≥11. Low presenteeism at work was present in 34.0%. Patients diagnosed with depression/anxiety had a more sedentary lifestyle [p <0.01], lower presenteeism at work [p <0.01] and a higher rate of unemployment [p <0.01]. CONCLUSIONS: A significant percentage of IBD patients in remission suffer from anxiety and/or depression. Risk factors for these are CD, female gender, use of biologic medications, long-standing and/or perianal disease. Depression/anxiety was associated with a sedentary lifestyle, lower presenteeism at work and unemployment. Validated screening tools and appropriate referrals to psychologists and/or psychiatrists should be employed within IBD clinics.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1197-1201
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Crohn's and Colitis
Volume16
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2022
Externally publishedYes

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