Risk factors of psychological disorders in inflammatory bowel disease in a tunisian survey. Results of a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Little is known in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) regarding risk factors for psychological distress. The aims of our work were to evaluate the frequency of anxiety and depression among patients with IBD and to determine the factors associated with these psychological disorders in Tunisian patients.

METHODS

From June 2012 to April 2013, 60 consecutive patients with IBD answered a questionnaire about psychological and socioeconomic factors and adherence to treatment. In this study we focused the analysis on the characteristics of IBD (type, localization, severity, treatment) and socioeconomic factors (professional, educational, and marital status). Anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).

RESULTS

According to the HADS, 25 patients (41.6%) were anxious while 4 (6.6%) were depressed. Three had anxiety and depression at the same time. Twelve patients had a probable anxiety, 2 patients had a probable depression and 3 patients had a probable depression and anxiety at the same time. By univariate analysis, factors associated with anxiety and depression were: female gender (p<0.03), rent (p<0.03), high school graduation (p<0.009), IBD type ulcerative colitis (p<0.05). By multivariate analysis, independent factors associated with these emotional disorders were: female gender (p=0.005, OR 11.3), the high school graduation (p=0.004, OR 12.1).

CONCLUSION

In our cohort, risk factors for anxiety and depression were the high school graduation and IBD type ulcerative colitis. Consequently, psychological interventions would be useful when these factors are identified.