ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammatory bowel disease affects many aspects of a patient's life and impairs their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The COVID-19 outbreak has led to important mobility restrictions and a dramatic re-adjustment of social habits and health systems. We aimed to assess the influence of the outbreak and mobility restrictions on the HRQoL of IBD patients with stable clinical remission on biologic treatment. We also sought to explore their self-perceived stress scores during the outbreak. METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational study in IBD patients on biologic treatment and stable clinical remission. Both Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis patients were included. Patients filled the IBDQ9 and the Perceived stress scale (PSS) electronically. To determine any changes, we compared the results of the IBDQ9 during the outbreak with the last IBDQ9 before the outbreak. RESULTS: We included 106 patients in clinical remission, with a median age of 42, 42% female, and 77% had CD. Median preCOVID-19 IBDQ9 was 72.1[66.5-80.12] and during the outbreak decreased to 69.2 [63.1-77.10] (p<0.001). The median PSS score was 12 [9-19]. There was a significant negative correlation between the PSS and the outbreak IBDQ9 (r=-0.66, p< 0.001). Regression analysis showed that the PSS score was associated with a lower IBDQ-9 during the outbreak(p<0.001) Conclusion: There is a negative impact of the COVID19 outbreak on the HRQoL of IBD patients in remission, with higher self-perceived stress scores associated with a lower QoL. The COVID-19 outbreak may have long-term implications for the HRQoL in these patients.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To report the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the activity of nurses working on an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) unit and to identify reasons for telehealth care and its relationship to certain characteristics. BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic had led to an increase in demand for remote care in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who require monitoring and frequent access to health services. DESIGN - METHODS: A retrospective study of all activity (in person and by phone call or email) done on the unit during the acute phase of the pandemic at a reference hospital in Spain. Numbers of activities done by nurses, reasons for telehealth care and sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using frequency, chi-squared and analysis of variance tests. RESULTS: A total of 1095 activities for 561 patients who received care were reported. Among them, 1042 (95.2%) were telemedicine activities, amounting to a 47.3% increase over the prior year. COVID-19-related activities numbered 588 (59.5%). Consultations due to disease flare-up numbered 134 (13.7%), representing a 145% increase compared to 2019. Significant differences were found between reasons for using telemedicine and diagnosis, occupational status, contact week and treatment. CONCLUSION: The acute phase of the pandemic has changed the activity managed by the nursing staff on the unit. Identifying and analysing these changes has yielded valuable information to achieve more efficient management and better care quality for patients in special situations.