Quality of Life in Cohabitants of Patients Suffering Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

(1) Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition with a significant impact on patients’ general health perception. No studies have considered consequences of IBD on cohabitants. (2) Aims: The aims of this study were to address the influence of IBD on cohabitants’ quality of life (QoL) and the factors potentially conditioning this impact. (3) Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in which IBD patients and their cohabitants were invited to participate. Validated questionnaires were used to measure QoL in patients and cohabitants. Main clinical and sociodemographic variables were collected. (4) Results: A total of 56 patients and 82 cohabitants with significant QoL impairment were included. A direct association was found between Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ32) score in patients and the Household Members Quality of Life—Inflammatory Bowel Disease (HHMQoL-IBD). IBDQ32 was related to the number of flares in the last 12 months, number of hospital admissions and Mayo Score. (5) Conclusions: HHMQoL-IBD score was related to patients IBDQ32 score and the presence of extraintestinal disease. We identified CRP, a marker of disease activity, as a factor related to cohabitants’ quality of life, pointing to a direct relationship of patients’ disease activity and their cohabitants’ quality of life.

The Burden on Cohabitants of Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…There are several factors that can contribute to the impact of a disease on those living with the patients. First of all, worse disease control has been associated with poorer quality of life among cohabitants in a variety of medical conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease [ 31 ], psoriasis [ 16 ] and hidradenitis suppurativa [ 17 ]. On the other hand, the diseases themselves can cause alterations in the mood and personality traits of the patients [ 5 , 18 , 32 ], which could favor the negative impact on the social network close to the patient.…”

Quality of Life and Mood Status Disturbances in Cohabitants of Patients with Alopecia Areata: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Spanish Population

“…Previous studies have addressed the issue of the quality of life of cohabitants of patients suffering from chronic diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease [ 24 ], psoriasis [ 11 ], chronic spontaneous urticaria [ 25 ], or hidradenitis suppurativa [ 12 ]. In this line, there are many factors that could be responsible for this negative impact.…”

“…Finally, our study shows how anxiety and depression in patients is associated with a negative impact on cohabitants in terms of a poorer quality of life, and higher rates of anxiety and depression. To the best of our knowledge, already available scientific literature for other chronic diseases have not addressed this issue [ 12 , 24 ]. Social and psychological support for patients would probably improve their mood status disturbances, therefore resulting in a better quality of life for cohabitants, as well as lower rates of anxiety and depression.…”

Effect of inflammatory bowel diseases on household chores

“…Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) comprise two main diseases ulcerative colitis (CU) and Crohn's disease (CD), which can cause gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms usually characterized by alternating periods of relapses and remissions 1,2 . Previous studies have shown a distinct decrease both in a patient's and their family members' overall quality of life (QoL) 3–5 . The inflammatory bowel disease (IBDQ) score has been found to be a good tool for assessing the negative impact on several aspects of patients' everyday life 6 .…”

“…1,2 Previous studies have shown a distinct decrease both in a patient's and their family members' overall quality of life (QoL). [3][4][5] The inflammatory bowel disease (IBDQ) score has been found to be a good tool for assessing the negative impact on several aspects of patients' everyday life. 6 No previous studies that separately addressed the possible adverse effects of IBD on household chores were found by our study group.…”