The impact social support and its different types have upon Crohn's disease: a double, case-control study on patients experiencing a flare-up or in remission, and healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND

The influence of social support upon several diseases has been studied and has been found to be beneficial, either by facilitating adjustment to the disease and improving its management, or by influencing the biological responses that lead to disorders.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of received social support and its different types (informational, material and emotional) in people with varying stages of Crohn's disease (CD), compared to a sample of healthy individuals.

DESIGN

An observational, double case-control study was conducted using validated scales to assess the impact of received social support and its different types upon CD.

METHODS

The sample was divided into three groups: healthy individuals, CD patients experiencing a flare-up and CD patients in remission. Study variables were measured in the three groups, and a multivariate analysis of variance was performed to examine statistical significance. In addition, post hoc analyses were performed using either Tukey's test or the Games-Howell test (depending on the homogeneity of variances) to determine which groups differed.

RESULTS

The principal results revealed statistically significant differences between the groups studied regarding received social support ( = 0.001), satisfaction with this support ( = 0.018), material support type ( = 0.002) and informational support type ( = 0.016). In the majority of cases, the most significant differences were observed between the group of healthy individuals and CD patients in remission, and between the latter group and CD patients experiencing a flare-up.

CONCLUSION

We propose directly engaging with CD patients in remission to thereby increase their perceived level of received social support, to consequently increase their satisfaction with such support. We also suggest specific interactions to increase the perception of material and informational support. This approach is also directly linked to the type of support provided by healthcare professionals.