SYMPTOMS OF ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION, AND QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH CROHN’S DISEASE

Abstract

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Crohn’s disease is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory disease. It is classified as an inflammatory bowel disease. Crohn’s disease can change patient quality of life, especially during flares. Crohn’s disease has been associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression, because the clinical symptoms have a high impact on quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression in Brazilian patients diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, as well as their quality of life. METHODS: A total of 110 Brazilian patients aged 21-59 years, both genders, with Crohn’s disease were included. The data were collected through questionnaires. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess anxiety and depression symptoms. Quality of life was evaluated using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, followed by the Duncan post-hoc test and the multiple linear regression test. RESULTS: Of the total, 61.7% of participants reported symptoms of anxiety or depression or both. Regarding quality of life, the majority (43.6%) were classified as “regular” and the minority (3.6%) as “excellent”. Multiple linear regression showed that worse quality of life correlated with greater presence of anxiety and depression symptoms (<0.001). CONCLUSION: Crohn’s disease has considerable impact on quality of life and contributes to the appearance of anxiety and/or depression symptoms.