A group-based patient education programme for high-anxiety patients with Crohn disease or ulcerative colitis

Scand J Gastroenterol. 2003 Jul;38(7):763-9. doi: 10.1080/00365520310003309.

Abstract

Background: The inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn disease (CD) affect a person's health-related quality of life (HRQOL). IBD patients report high levels of anxiety, which correlates with the degree of perceived dissatisfaction with the information on disease-related themes provided in routine health care. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in anxiety after participation in a group-based educational intervention for IBD patients screened for high anxiety.

Methods: The programme consisted of 8 sessions, and 49 patients participated. Anxiety was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale at baseline and 6 months after intervention. HRQOL was assessed with the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) and the SF-36 health survey. Participant satisfaction with education was measured using a study-specific questionnaire.

Results: No significant change on the HAD anxiety score was found at the 6-month follow-up for those who participated in the education programme despite the fact that the participants reported they had gained better knowledge of disease-related items. Furthermore, there were no significant changes over time regarding bowel symptoms, systemic symptoms, emotional functioning and social functioning of the IBDQ or generic HRQOL (SF-36).

Conclusions: IBD patients with a high anxiety level reported improved satisfaction with information about disease-related items, but did not indicate any benefits in terms of reduced anxiety or improved HRQOL after participating in the education programme, not at least in the short-term perspective. In this selected group of patients, psychosocial problems other than disease-related concerns were found that warrant other approaches.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anxiety Disorders / etiology*
  • Anxiety Disorders / prevention & control*
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / psychology*
  • Crohn Disease / psychology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Education as Topic*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Psychotherapy, Group*
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome