MENTAL HEALTH IN PATIENTS WITH INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the mental health of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) treated with biological therapy. 
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among patients with Crohn’s disease. Two groups were included: an experimental and a control group. The experimental group consisted of 100 patients with Crohn’s disease, of whom 50 were on biological therapy and 50 were not, all treated at the Department of Gastroenterology. Participants completed instruments adapted for the research: a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90), 
a tool designed to assess various aspects of mental health and personality. 
Results: The highest proportion of women was recorded among healthy participants (71.0%), while men were most represented in the group receiving biological therapy (58.0%). A significant difference was found between genders among healthy and diseased individuals. Participants receiving biological therapy achieved significantly higher scores in the domains 
of Obsessive–Compulsive Symptoms, Depression, and Psychoticism compared to the other groups.  
Conclusion: These findings are consistent with research highlighting the connection between mental health and disease activity, suggesting the need for a holistic approach in the diagnosis and treatment of IBD.