Author/Authors :
Naji, Fateme Department of Psychiatry - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Tabatabaeian, Mahshid Department of Psychiatry - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Sharbafchi, Mohammad Reza Department of Psychiatry - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Tabatabaeian, Maryam Department of Psychiatry - School of Medicine - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Afshar, Hamid Psychosomatic Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Roohafza, Hamid Reza Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center - Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Institute - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Daghaghzadeh, Hamed Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Adibi, Peyman Integrative Functional Gastroenterology Research Center - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences , Feizi, Awat Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology - School of Health - Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan
Abstract :
Background: Psychological profile of inflammatory bowel disease patients is not well studied in Iran. We investigated the
psychological status of Iranian patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and its relationship with disease activity and quality of life (QOL).
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on adult UC patients. The Lichtiger Colitis Activity Index, Hospital
Anxiety and Depression Scale, General Health Questionnaire-12, and WHOQOL-BREF, were completed by the patients. Results: From
120 studied patients, 35 (29.2%), 48 (40.0%), and 46 (38.3%) had significant anxiety, depression, and psychological distress, respectively.
Anxiety, depression, and psychological distress were strongly correlated with disease activity (r = 0.357 to 0.439, P < 0.01). Disease
activity was negatively correlated with all QOL dimensions (r = −0.245 to −0.550, P < 0.01). Anxiety, depression, and psychological
distress were also negatively correlated with all QOL domains (r = −0.356 to −0.789, P < 0.01). In the regression models, anxiety was
independently associated with active disease (β = 4.150, P = 0.049). Furthermore, disease activity was associated with the physical
health (β = −0.371, P < 0.001). For almost all of the QOL domains, depression and psychological distress were independent predictors
(β = −0.296 to −0.453, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Anxiety, depression, and psychological distress are highly frequent in UC patients of
our society and are strongly associated with disease activity. Depression and psychological distress are important predictors of poor
QOL in these patients. Further prospective studies, as well as clinical trials, are warranted in this regard.
Keywords :
ulcerative colitis , quality of life , inflammatory bowel disease , depression psychological , Anxiety
