Poster Session II - A312 MENTAL HEALTH BURDEN OF PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE AT CHUS SHERBROOKE IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

TL;DR

This study found that many inflammatory bowel disease patients experience depression and anxiety, especially those recently hospitalized, and most want better mental health support integrated into their care.

Contribution

The study identifies recent hospitalization as a significant risk factor for mental health issues in IBD patients post-pandemic.

Findings

15.1% of IBD patients met criteria for depression or anxiety, with 5.5% having both.

Hospitalization since 2020 was significantly associated with depression and anxiety.

Most patients wanted mental health services integrated into their IBD care.

Abstract

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a high prevalence of mental health disorders which are associated with worse disease outcomes. Additionally, the global COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increased incidence of mental health challenges in the general population.

This study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression in a cohort of patients with IBD following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The prevalence of anxiety and depression was assessed in IBD outpatients, either in person or via virtual visits, using the validated Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scales. Patients’ demographics, disease characteristics, and treatment history were collected through retrospective chart reviews. Multivariable analysis was performed to identify factors associated with depression and anxiety.

A total of 199 patients (59.3% female, mean age 47) completed the questionnaires. Of these, 130 (65.3%) were treated with advanced therapies. 15.1% met the criteria for depression and/or anxiety. The prevalence of depression was 13% while anxiety was observed in 7.5% of patients. 11 patients (5.5%) met the criteria for both diagnoses, see table 1. A total of 41 patients (20.6%) were receiving treatment for depression or anxiety. Hospitalization since 2020 (32 patients) was the only factor significantly associated with both depression and anxiety (p = 0.0001; 95% CI: 2.48–12.92). Corticosteroid therapy (p = 0.063; 95% CI 0.94–4.74) and disease activity (p = 0.127; 95% CI 0.72–14.02) appeared to increase risk, while treatment changes (p = 0.626; 95% CI 0.55–2.66) were not associated with mental health symptoms. Most patients (77.9%) were satisfied with their gastroenterologist’s attention to mental health, and 68.8% wanted integration of mental health services into their IBD care.

Severity of mental health symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in our cohort

A substantial proportion of IBD patients in out cohort experience depression and anxiety, with recent hospitalization as a key risk factor. Most patients desire improved access to mental health resources, supporting the integration of these services into IBD clinics and post-hospitalization care.

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