Impact of inflammatory bowel diseases on working life: A French nationwide survey. Issue 7 (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Le Berre, Catherine; Peyrin-Biroulet, Laurent; Buisson, Anne; Olympie, Alain; Ravel, Marie-Hélène; Bienenfeld, Christina; Gonzalez, Florent
• Is Part Of: Digestive and liver disease. Volume 51:Issue 7(2019)
• Page Start: 961
• Page End: 966
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Burden -- Crohn's disease -- Professional life -- Ulcerative colitis; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.33005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dld.2019.01.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1590-8658

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) affect working-age patients. Data was lacking concerning the impact on working life. Aims: The French IBD patient association conducted a nationwide survey to assess the burden of IBD at work. Methods: An online survey was performed in 2016, targeting IBD patients working or having worked previously. The results were compared to those observed in the general population. Results: Data from 1410 IBD patients were analyzed (62% Crohn's disease, 35% ulcerative colitis). Four-fifth of respondents were actively employed. Half of them stated that working with IBD was a problem. Compared to the general population, IBD employees had higher rates of permanent contracts, public employment but also of part-time contracts, and highly graduated patients were less likely to reach high qualified jobs. Among the disabling symptoms at work, fatigue was the most frequent (41%) followed by diarrhea (25%) and fecal incontinence (18%). Despite these difficulties, 76% were satisfied with their job. Most patients shared their IBD diagnosis with their colleagues, but 25% of them regretted it. Conclusion: IBD has a strong negative impact on working life. While work satisfaction remains high, IBD affects career plans, highlighting the need for supporting measures to improve patients' work experience.