Gender and disease activity influence health-related quality of life in inflammatory bowel diseases

Background/Aims: Measurement of health related quality of life (HRQoL) is a new tool to evaluate patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aims of this study were to verify reliability and responsiveness of a disease-specific questionnaire [Italian Questionnaire on Quality of Life (IQQoL)], and to assess the relationship between clinical and demographic variables and HRQoL in IBD patients. Methodology: The IQQoL was submitted to all IBD patients consecutively seen at eight participating Hospitals, and re-administered at follow-up visits. The IQQoL covers intestinal and systemic symptoms, emotional and social function. The higher the score, the worse the HRQoL. Results: 249 patients were enrolled, 106 with Crohn's disease (CD) and 143 with ulcerative colitis (UC). IQQoL was re-administered to 134 patients: 98 with unchanged, 17 with worsened and 19 with improved disease activity. The IQQoL was stable over time in patients with stable clinical conditions, and very responsive to change both in patients with improved and worsened disease activity. HRQoL was inversely correlated with disease activity, both in CD and UC. Perception of HRQoL was significantly worse in women than in men. Conclusions: The IQQoL is a reliable and responsive instrument to assess HRQoL in IBD patients. Active disease is related to poor HRQoL perception. In CD, women, mainly if young, have a worse HRQoL perception than men.