A91 UNMET NEEDS OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE PATIENTS IN CANADA: RESULTS OF A WEB SURVEY. (15th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gray, J R; Attara, G; Aumais, G; Panaccione, R; Marshall, J
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology. Volume 2(2019)Supplement 2
• Page Start: 181
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2019-03-15
• Subjects: Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; 616.33005
• DOI: 10.1093/jcag/gwz006.090
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2515-2084

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Canada has among the highest prevalences of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in the world, at 0.7% of the population. Educational programs are typically aimed at physicians to bridge knowledge gaps. Little is known about the gaps that exist at the patient level. Aims: To identify unmet needs in IBD care and knowledge from a patient perspective. Methods: The Gastrointestinal Society hosted a survey on its English (www.badgut.org ) and French (www.mauxdeventre.org ) websites from July 6 to September 4, 2018, asking patients about their views on the unmet needs in IBD. Survey links were posted on social media, boosted via ads. To qualify, survey participants had to be living in Canada and have moderate to severe IBD. Questions included a variety of topics on IBD, such as medication, health care, and day-to-day life. Results: Four hundred and thirty-two IBD patients (81% female) responded from all provinces (56% Crohn's disease, 42% ulcerative colitis, 7% other). When asked their ultimate goal in treating IBD, aside from finding a cure, responses included maintaining a good quality of life (36%) and achieving remission (32%). Common concerns regarding flares of disease included losing the ability to function daily (63%), pain (58%), impact on work (33%) or family (25%), and needing surgery (22%). When asked which tools offered by their gastroenterologist were most useful to them, 60% said tests and monitoring, 54% medication selection and monitoring, 39% information on treatment options, 34% explanation of treatment goals, and 29% discussions on quality of life. 56% of respondents claimed that medications currently available only somewhat control their IBD and 20% said that they do not control symptoms. 43% of respondents were concerned about the risks of surgery. 63% of respondents were somewhat concerned, concerned, or very concerned about non-medical switching from an innovator biologic to a biosimilar, and 89% were somewhat to very concerned that there were fewer biologic options for IBD than for other immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Respondents were interested in learning more about other aspects of treatment, including diet (57%), medical cannabis (48%), and increasing support from their health care team (39%). Conclusions: Canadians with IBD believe their symptoms are not under control much of the time. They worry about the impact of disease flares on their day-to-day lives and want more support from their health care team. Many individuals want to learn more about how diet and medical cannabis might help. Funding Agencies: The Gastrointestinal Society received a grant from Janssen Canada.