ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a great impact on healthcare system and patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the perceptions of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: fdb 9.1.450/W UnicodeThis prospective multicenter study was conducted between July 2021 and December 2021. Patients with IBD answered a structured questionnaire, and their degree of anxiety was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after reading educational materials. RESULTS: fdb 9.1.450/W UnicodeA total of 225 (47.67%) patients with Crohn's disease, 244 (51.69%) with ulcerative colitis and 3 (0.64%) with indeterminate colitis were enrolled. Common concerns were adverse events from vaccination (20.34%), and higher risks of developing severe COVID-19 (19.28%) and COVID-19 infection (16.31%) than the general population. Medications deemed by the patients to increase the risk of COVID-19 were immunomodulators (16.10%), anti-tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists (9.96%), and corticosteroids (9.32%). Thirty-five (7.42%) patients self-discontinued IBD medication, of whom 12 (34.28%) had worse symptoms. Older age (>50 years) (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.01-1.19, p = 0.03), IBD-related complications (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.04-1.28, p = 0.01), education status below senior high school (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.08-1.37, p = 0.001), and residing in north-central Taiwan (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.10-1.34, p < 0.001) were associated with more anxiety. None of the enrolled patients contracted COVID-19. The anxiety VAS score (mean ± SD) improved after reading the educational materials (3.84 ± 2.33 vs. 2.81 ± 1.96, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The medical behavior of IBD patients was influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, and their anxiety could be mitigated after education.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIM: It is unsure whether inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a risk factor for novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). METHODS: IBD patients were identified from population-based databases in Hong Kong and Taiwan from January 21, 2020, until April 15, 2020. RESULTS: Total 2954 and 2554 IBD patients were identified in Hong Kong and Taiwan, respectively. None had COVID-19. Pooled analysis showed that 65.3%, 39.1%, 4.3%, and 12.8% IBD patients in Hong Kong and 75.8 %, 51.4 %, 26.1%, and 52.3 % in Taiwan were on 5-aminosalicylates, immunomodulators, corticosteroids, and biologics, respectively. CONCLUSION: There were no reported cases of COVID-19 infection amongst IBD patients in Hong Kong and Taiwan. IBD patients should continue their usual medications during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/complications , Adult , Aged , COVID-19/diagnosis , Female , Hong Kong/epidemiology , Humans , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/diagnosis , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/drug therapy , Male , Middle Aged , Registries , Taiwan/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic, secondary to SARS-CoV-2, has resulted in high mortality and morbidity worldwide. As inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disease, and most patients are on long-term immunosuppressive agents, there is understandable concern, particularly in terms of therapy. In view of this, experts in IBD across the Asia Pacific region were invited to put together recommendations based on their experience and the currently available data. In general, most IBD therapies (with a few exceptions) can be continued safely, and the general consensus is that maintaining disease control should remain the main principle of management. In addition, social distancing measures and the appropriate use of personal protective equipment should be strictly adhered to. During the current pandemic, face-to-face clinic follow ups and non-urgent procedures should be kept to a minimum.