Strategies to improve quality of life in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which encompasses Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic and debilitating conditions with unpredictable courses and complicated treatment. Pediatric IBD carries implications that extend beyond the health of the gastrointestinal tract. When these lifelong illnesses are diagnosed during adolescence, a critical developmental period, the transition to adulthood can be even more turbulent. Like other chronic diseases of childhood, patients with IBD are at risk for depression, anxiety, social isolation, and altered self-image, which can all negatively affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The review will draw from pertinent adult and pediatric literature about HRQOL over the past 10 years using a PubMed literature search to summarize instruments with which HRQOL is measured, and address factors that affect HRQOL in adolescents and young adults with IBD. Psychosocial interventions that have been utilized to improve quality of life in this population will also be covered. Identifying patients with impaired quality of life is of paramount importance, as is implementing strategies that may improve HRQOL, so that they may have an easier transition to adulthood while living with IBD. Copyright © 2009 Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, Inc.