# The Worries of Out-of-Home Activities in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Survey Study During the COVID-19 Pandemic

## TL;DR

This study explores how patients with inflammatory bowel disease worry about out-of-home activities, especially during the pandemic, and finds that those with active disease or ulcerative colitis are more concerned about finding public restrooms.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific factors, such as disease activity and type, associated with worries about out-of-home activities in IBD patients during the pandemic.

## Key findings

- 85.4% of patients with active IBD worried about not finding public washrooms when going out.
- Patients with ulcerative colitis expressed greater worry about going out and taking buses than those with Crohn's disease.
- Worries about public washrooms were higher in UC patients compared to CD patients, regardless of disease activity.

## Abstract

Background: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) often experience worries related to travel due to frequent bowel movements. However, there is currently limited research focusing on the travel worries of patients with IBD. The aim of this study was to assess the level of worry regarding out-of-home activities in patients with IBD and identify factors associated with worry.

Methods: This study included patients with IBD who visited the outpatient clinics between September 2020 and March 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants completed a self-designed questionnaire, providing general clinical data and indicating their level of worry for out-of-home activities.

Results: A total of 529 patients with IBD completed the questionnaire. Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) had a higher proportion of individuals under 40 years old and males compared to patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). Regarding out-of-home activities, patients with UC expressed greater worry about going out and taking buses than patients with CD. However, there were no significant differences observed between the two groups in terms of travel worries and worries about finding public washrooms. A significant majority (85.4%) of patients with clinically active IBD expressed worries about not finding public washrooms when going out, while 46.7% of patients in clinical remission had similar worries. Moreover, the worry about finding public washrooms was higher in patients with UC compared to those with CD, both during the clinical activity and remission.

Conclusion: This survey conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic reported worries among patients with IBD about out-of-home activities. The patients with clinically active IBD, especially UC, expressed worries about not finding public washrooms when going out. We highlight the actual psychological and quality of life challenges faced by patients with IBD.