Psychological factors are associated with changes in the health-related quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease.

Background: The effect of different sociodemographic and clinical variables on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is currently known, but the influence of psychological factors has not been sufficiently explored. The objective of this study was to identify psychological predictors of HRQOL in patients with IBD.

Methods: A cross-sectional prospective study was undertaken including 875 consecutive IBD patients.

How do psychological variables influence coping strategies in inflammatory bowel disease?

Background: Adjusting to chronic disease is a complex process and one that, in the case of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), has received very little attention. The objectives of this study were to identify coping strategies used by patients with IBD and to explore how these strategies are related to psychological characteristics.

Methods: A transversal study was designed in which 875 patients with IBD were prospectively enrolled.

Influence of alexithymia on health-related quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease: are there any related factors?

Objective: Alexithymia is a personality trait characterized by difficulty to perceive and express emotions. Previous studies have indicated a high prevalence of alexithymia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) but results have been inconsistent. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of alexithymia in a large IBD cohort and to establish the impact of alexithymia on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in these patients.

13C-mixed triglyceride breath test to assess oral enzyme substitution therapy in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Background & Aims: Malnutrition persists in most patients with chronic pancreatitis despite an adequate clinical response to oral pancreatic enzyme substitution therapy. Our aims were to analyze the accuracy of the 13C-mixed triglyceride breath test as a tool for evaluating the effect of enzyme therapy on fat digestion in chronic pancreatitis, and to analyze the impact of modifying the therapy according to the breath test on patients' nutritional status.

Methods: The accuracy of the breath test for monitoring the effect of therapy was evaluated prospectively in 29 patients with maldigestion secondary to chronic pancreatitis by using the coefficient of fat absorption as the gold standard.