Results of a national survey on quality of life in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Aims: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) have a negative impact on patients' quality of life. The aims of this survey were to learn more about patients' concerns, and to compare their feelings with the beliefs of their close relations and physicians.

Patients And Methods: A specific questionnaire, including the RFIPC and the MFI-20, was used. Patients' answers were compared with those given by their close relations and attending physicians.

Results: This national survey included 2424 French patients. At the time of diagnosis, 73% of patients expressed having fears, but were also relieved to understand their symptoms. IBD was responsible for fatigue and weariness, and had a negative impact on daily, occupational, leisure, family and personal life. The main fears concerned unpredictable flare-ups followed by need for an ostomy bag and risk of surgery. The answers provided by close relations and physicians matched those of the patients, but physicians overestimated the patient's knowledge and underestimated disease impact.

Conclusion: IBD has a deleterious effect on quality of life. Close relations of the patient realize the impact the disease has on the patients' life, but attending physicians still tend to minimize patients' symptoms.