Perceptions of illness stigma in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

This study demonstrates that both IBD and IBS patients perceive stigma about their illness. As demonstrated by increased depression and anxiety, decreased self-esteem and self-efficacy, and lower quality of life in both patient groups, PS was shown to have a negative impact on clinical outcomes.

Qualidade de vida de pacientes com doença de Crohn

“…Destaca el hecho de que la mayoría de los participantes vive con renta familiar de dos salarios mínimos, ser familias nucleares y encontrarse desempleados. Estas informaciones se correlacionan con el perfil social de la población de Brasil, especialmente de los pacientes que son atendidos en Hospitales Públicos Universitarios (20) . Por otro lado, considerando algunos factores que puedan influenciar en ciertos ámbitos, principalmente en el ámbito social y psicológico, estar en proximidad de la familia y tener apoyo de soporte es crucial y traerá resultados satisfactorios en la recuperación de los pacientes.…”

“…En esta investigación no hubo acentuada presencia de comorbilidades, lo que mejor defiende la CV regular, a pesar de ser factor predictivo de tipo negativo encontrado en todos los ámbitos del IBDQ, en otros estudios (20) .…”

Stigma, taboos, and altered bowel function

“…Patients with active IBD and IBS will experience pain and diarrhoea and therefore choose to be within close proximity to a toilet (Taft et al, 2011). Individuals with IBD can develop anal fistulas that can affect continence either through their formation or through the surgical intervention required to treat the fistula.…”

“…Stigma is correlated with poorer patient outcomes, low self-esteem, and decreased overall health (Quinn and Earnshaw, 2011;Taft et al, 2011). Therefore, it is imperative for health professionals to recognise the implications of stigma and provide effective interventions to lessen the effect.…”

“…(Anecdote by patient receiving biofeedback therapy for faecal incontinence) Discussion of symptoms without embarrassment and fear of reprisal and with a supportive health professional who listens and responds appropriately also lessens feelings of stigmatisation. Some individuals may require more formalised psychological interventions, such as counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy, that challenge beliefs and assumptions surrounding illnesses (Heijnders and Van Der Meij, 2006;Taft et al, 2011).…”