The interrelation between anxiety and quality of life among patients with ulcerative colitis in remission / La interrelación entre ansiedad y calidad de vida en pacientes con colitis ulcerosa en remisión

Objective: To determine if anxiety and depression are associated with a lower QoL in patients with UC in remission. Patients and methods: We included consecutive patients with a previously confirmed diagnosis of UC in remission for at least 12 months and who answered complete questionnaires: IBDQ-32, HAD. Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics were obtained. We performed non-parametric tests, and correlations between HADS and IBDQ-32 were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient (r). A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Among 124 patients, 65% were men, with a median evolution of UC of 10 years (IQR: 5–79 years). Prevalence for anxiety was 15.3% and 2.4% for depression. Global QoL was 192 (IQR: 175–208). Lower QoL was associated with anxiety (p=0.002) and depression (p=0.013). Depression represented lower QoL at the digestive level than no depression (p=0.04). Anxiety negatively correlated with QoL (r=−0.54; p<0.001). Conclusions: Anxiety is frequent in patients with UC in remission; therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment must be implemented to improve QoL. (AU)

Objetivo: Determinar si la ansiedad o depresión están asociados con pobre calidad de vida en pacientes con colitis ulcerosa en remisión. Pacientes y métodos: Se incluyó a pacientes de manera consecutiva con diagnóstico establecido de colitis ulcerosa en remisión de al menos 12 meses y quienes completaron los cuestionarios de manera completa como el IBDQ-32, HAD. Las características sociodemográficas y clínicas fueron recabadas. Se utilizaron pruebas no paramétricas y se realizó correlación de HADS y IBDQ-32 con la prueba de Spearman (r). Un valor de p < 0,05 fue considerado como significativo. Resultados: De los 124 pacientes, el 65% fueron hombres con una media de 10 años de evolución (IQR: 5-79 años). La prevalencia para la ansiedad fue del 15,3% y el 2,4% para depresión. La calidad de vida global fue de 192 puntos (IQR: 175-208). La pobre calidad de vida estuvo asociada con la ansiedad (p = 0,002) y la depresión (p = 0,013). La depresión estuvo representada como pobre calidad de vida a nivel de las esferas digestiva (p = 0,04). La ansiedad se correlacionó de manera negativa con la calidad de vida (r = –0,54; p < 0,001). Conclusiones: La ansiedad es frecuente en pacientes con colitis ulcerosa en remisión; no obstante, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento oportuno debe ser implementado para mejorar la calidad de vida. (AU)

The interrelation between anxiety and quality of life among patients with ulcerative colitis in remission.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if anxiety and depression are associated with a lower QoL in patients with UC in remission. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included consecutive patients with a previously confirmed diagnosis of UC in remission for at least 12 months and who answered complete questionnaires: IBDQ-32, HAD. Clinical and sociodemographic characteristics were obtained. We performed non-parametric tests, and correlations between HADS and IBDQ-32 were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficient (r). A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Among 124 patients, 65% were men, with a median evolution of UC of 10 years (IQR: 5-79 years). Prevalence for anxiety was 15.3% and 2.4% for depression. Global QoL was 192 (IQR: 175-208). Lower QoL was associated with anxiety (p=0.002) and depression (p=0.013). Depression represented lower QoL at the digestive level than no depression (p=0.04). Anxiety negatively correlated with QoL (r=-0.54; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety is frequent in patients with UC in remission; therefore, timely diagnosis and treatment must be implemented to improve QoL.