The aim is to examine the contribution of socio-demographic, medical, and psychological factors in predicting health related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and to examine the differences between those with Crohn\u27s disease and ulcerative colitis, regarding psychosocial factors and quality of life.
Methods. Data from 90 participants with Crohn\u27s disease and 63 participants with ulcerative colitis were collected using HBI, SCCAI, HADS, and shortened versions of SIBDQ, SS – A, and COPE, and the measure of self-evaluated disease activity. Data were analyzed by multiple hierarchical regression and discriminant analysis.
The results of socio-demographic, medical and psychological factors accounted for 66% of variance of HRQoL in participants with IBD, with disease activity, and levels of anxiety and depression being the strongest independent predictors. Higher disease activity and higher level of psychological disturbances were related to lower HRQoL. Differences between the two diagnostic groups were found in disease activity assessments and disengagement, with participants suffering from Crohn\u27s disease indicating lower levels of disease activity, using disengagement as a coping strategy less often.
Conclusion. The findings on independent contribution of psychological disturbances in predicting the HRQoL, positive correlation of anxiety and depression with disease activity, and high representation of clinically relevant anxiety (27.5%) and depression (10.5%) in the sample with a low representation of participants with severe, active phase of disease point towards a need for routine screening for anxiety and depression in IBD patients and inclusion of specific psychological support in IBD treatment
