Mental health evaluation of patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and psychiatric comorbidities during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Introduction The mental health of subjects with chronic medical illnesses, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD- Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis), is typically compromised and the current COVID-19 pandemic might have additionally increased this burden. Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate, during the COVID-19 pandemic, if the presence of a comorbid psychiatric disorder has played a role as an aggravating factor on mental health in patients with IBD. Methods Twenty Five patients with psychiatric comorbidities (PC+) and twenty five without (PC-) comparable for age and gender, were recruited at the Gastroenterology department at Sacco University Hospital in Milan. Participants were assessed a psychiatric evaluation, collecting socio-demographic variables and measures of anxiety and depression [on the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS)], sleep patterns [on the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)] and general health status [on the Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36)]. Comparative statistical analyses were performed with t test with Bonferroni correction. Results PC+ (n=25) showed more severe anxiety and depressive symptoms compared with PC- (n=25) (p <.001) and worse sleep pattern (p<.05). With respect to general health status, PC+ showed reduced physical activities (p<.05), social activities (p<.05), mental health (p<.01) and role limitations due to physical health (p<.05). Conclusions The present findings showed a worse mental health in subjects with IBD and psychiatric comorbidities during Covid-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of screening and treatment of psychiatric symptoms disorders in these patients. Disclosure No significant relationships.

Keywords

• Psychiatric comorbidities
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Mental health evaluation
• Covid-19 pandemic