Making sense of pain in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): A qualitative study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, gastrointestinal tract condition, in which pain is one of the most widespread and debilitating symptoms, yet research about how individuals make sense of their IBD pain is lacking. The current study aimed to explore how individuals with IBD understand their pain. Methods Twenty participants, recruited via the Crohn’s & Colitis UK charity, were interviewed about their understanding of their IBD pain using the Grid Elaboration Method that elicits free associations on which it invites elaboration. Thematic analysis was used to organise transcribed verbatim data. Results Three related themes – making sense of my pain, navigating my care and support and it takes its toll – comprising seven sub-themes, illustrated the ways in which participants made sense of pain experientially, multi-dimensionally, and in the broader context of IBD and its symptoms. The psychological impact of pain was evident across all interviews. Conclusions The findings are consistent with other research in IBD pain, demonstrating the importance of pain in IBD. Sense-making underpins both emotional and practical responses to pain and ideally is constructed as an integral part of clinical care of IBD.