Quality of life of patients with inflammatory bowel disease in the Czech Republic

Czech version

Authors: P. Mináriková ¹ ; P. Matějková ² ; I. Kuzko ¹ ; M. Pfeiferová ³; L. Slabá ³; D. Ďuricová ^4-6 ; pacientská organizace Pacienti IBD z.s.; Pracovní skupina pro idiopatické střevní záněty ČGS ČLS JEP
Authors‘ workplace: ÚVN, Interní klinika 1. LF UK a ÚVN Praha ¹; Gastroenterologie ResTrial, Praha ²; Pacientská organizace Pacienti IBD z. s., Praha ³; Klinické a výzkumné centrum pro střevní záněty, ISCARE a. s. a 1. LF UK, Praha ⁴; Klinika hepatogastroenterologie, IKEM, Praha ⁵; Ústav farmakologie, 1. LF UK, Praha ⁶
Published in: Gastroent Hepatol 2026; 80(1): 22-29
Category:
doi: https://doi.org/10.48095/ccgh202622

Overview

Introduction: Normalization of the quality of life is an important therapeutic goal in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Aim: To evaluate the quality of life in patients with IBD in the Czech Republic. Methods: The study involved patients with IBD aged ≥ 18 years who were approached through gastroenterology departments in the Czech Republic and online through a patient organization. Patients completed a one-time, anonymous questionnaire focusing on various aspects of the quality of life. Results: The study was conducted between September 2024 and May 2025 involving 1,272 patients (60% with Crohn‘s disease, 58% women, median age 39 years, and 60.3% on biological therapy). The most commonly reported problem associated with IBD was fatigue (82.5%), followed by gastrointestinal symptoms and extraintestinal manifestations. Up to 40% of respondents reported psychological problems (anxiety and depression). Approximately two-thirds of patients (57–69%) admitted to at least occasional restrictions in social activities such as travelling, playing sports, or eating in public places. Two-thirds of respondents (72.1%) stated that they work full-time or part-time, and 20.1% admitted to receiving disability pension. Targeted therapy –⁠ biologics and small molecules (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.25–2.45), Crohn‘s disease (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.09–2.03), and relapse frequency ≥ 1 per year (OR 2.73; 95% CI 2.02–3.72) increased the risk, while higher education (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.34–0.66) reduced the risk of disability. Conclusion: This study highlighted the negative impact of IBD on various aspects of patients‘ lives, particularly their personal and professional lives, and the high incidence of mental health problems among IBD patients.

Keywords:

inflammatory bowel diseases – quality of life – Crohn’s disease – ulcerative colitis – biological products – patient reported outcome – measures – depression – employment

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Poděkování

Poděkování patří všem lékařům a zdravotním sestrám z center biologické léčby IBD a ostatních gastroenterologických pracovišť, kteří povědomí o dotazníkovém šetření šířili a předávali k vyplnění pacientům.