BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease affects many aspects of a patient's life and impairs their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The COVID-19 outbreak has led to important mobility restrictions and a dramatic re-adjustment of social habits and health systems. We aimed to assess the influence of the outbreak and mobility restrictions on the HRQoL of IBD patients with stable clinical remission on biologic treatment. We also sought to explore their self-perceived stress scores during the outbreak. METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational study in IBD patients on biologic treatment and stable clinical remission. Both Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis patients were included. Patients filled the IBDQ9 and the Perceived stress scale (PSS) electronically. To determine any changes, we compared the results of the IBDQ9 during the outbreak with the last IBDQ9 before the outbreak. RESULTS: We included 106 patients in clinical remission, with a median age of 42, 42% female, and 77% had CD. Median preCOVID-19 IBDQ9 was 72.1[66.5-80.12] and during the outbreak decreased to 69.2 [63.1-77.10] (p<0.001). The median PSS score was 12 [9-19]. There was a significant negative correlation between the PSS and the outbreak IBDQ9 (r=-0.66, p< 0.001). Regression analysis showed that the PSS score was associated with a lower IBDQ-9 during the outbreak(p<0.001) Conclusion: There is a negative impact of the COVID19 outbreak on the HRQoL of IBD patients in remission, with higher self-perceived stress scores associated with a lower QoL. The COVID-19 outbreak may have long-term implications for the HRQoL in these patients.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease affects many aspects of a patient's life and impairs their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The COVID-19 outbreak has led to important mobility restrictions and a dramatic re-adjustment of social habits and health systems. We aimed to assess the influence of the outbreak and mobility restrictions on the HRQoL of IBD patients with stable clinical remission on biologic treatment. We also sought to explore their self-perceived stress scores during the outbreak. METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational study in IBD patients on biologic treatment and stable clinical remission. Both Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis patients were included. Patients filled the IBDQ9 and the Perceived stress scale (PSS) electronically. To determine any changes, we compared the results of the IBDQ9 during the outbreak with the last IBDQ9 before the outbreak. RESULTS: We included 106 patients in clinical remission, with a median age of 42, 42% female, and 77% had CD. Median preCOVID-19 IBDQ9 was 72.1[66.5-80.12] and during the outbreak decreased to 69.2 [63.1-77.10] (p<0.001). The median PSS score was 12 [9-19]. There was a significant negative correlation between the PSS and the outbreak IBDQ9 (r=-0.66, p< 0.001). Regression analysis showed that the PSS score was associated with a lower IBDQ-9 during the outbreak(p<0.001) Conclusion: There is a negative impact of the COVID19 outbreak on the HRQoL of IBD patients in remission, with higher self-perceived stress scores associated with a lower QoL. The COVID-19 outbreak may have long-term implications for the HRQoL in these patients.