Influencing factors on depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation among inflammatory bowel disease patients

Abstract

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic, relapsing disease that affects the physical and mental health and quality of life of patients from diagnosis. Objective: The prevalence of depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in inflammatory bowel disease patients as well as the associated disease and therapy specific factors were investigated. Method: The study included 300 subjects (mean age 38.8 years, men 47%, women 53%). Depressive symptoms (PHQ-9), suicidal ideation (PHQ-9 item 9), the degree of hopelessness (Beck Hopelessness Scale) and the health-related quality of life (SIBDQ) were evaluated with online, self-filling questionnaires. Results: 28.6% of subjects showed depressive symptoms and 9.3% were at high risk for hopelessness. Suicidal ideation was reported by 16% of respondents, of which 5.3% reported high risk. According to the results of the linear regression model, factors that explain depressive symptoms include the degree of hopelessness, female gender, the presence of extraintestinal manifestations, taking painkillers regularly and disease activity. Conclusion: The rate of suicidal ideation and the incidence of depression in our study sample are similar to international data. The activity of the disease affects the mood state of the individuals. Regular screening, insertion and treatment of psychological factors in the therapeutic process can improve the subjective status of patients and may also affect the course of the disease.