Self-assessment of treatment targets in patients with inflammatory bowel disease using a survey. (November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Reuken, Philipp A.; Grunert, Philip C.; Lügering, Andreas; Teich, Niels; Stallmach, Andreas
• Is Part Of: Therapeutic advances in gastroenterology. Volume 13(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-11
• Subjects: communication -- inflammatory bowel disease -- patients' perspective -- survey; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Digestive organs -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal system -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Liver -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Gastroenterology -- Periodicals; Gastrointestinal Diseases -- therapy -- Periodicals; Liver Diseases -- therapy -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Gastroentérologie -- Périodiques; Appareil digestif -- Maladies -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Tractus gastro-intestinal -- Maladies -- Traitement -- Périodiques; Hépatologie -- Périodiques; Foie -- Maladies -- Périodiques; Pharmacologie -- Périodiques; 616.3005
• DOI: 10.1177/1756284820971213
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-283X

Abstract

Background: Physicians can improve their relationships with patients by understanding and meeting patients' treatment targets, leading to higher adherence to therapy and improved disease prognosis. In the current study, we performed a questionnaire-based survey to further understand treatment targets in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods: We created a questionnaire based on a point-allocation scale with 10 treatment target items. A total of 234 patients with IBD [Crohn's disease ( n = 129) and ulcerative colitis ( n = 105)] participated in three German IBD centers. Patients were asked to allocate a total of 10 points across the 10 items, with more points indicating more importance. Results: The most important treatment targets for patients regarding their therapy were quality of life (2.78 points), control of defecation (1.53 points), and avoidance of IBD-related surgery (1.69 points). Avoiding surgery for IBD was less important in patients who had already undergone a surgical procedure than in those who had not (1.26 points versus 1.89 points, p < 0.001). Typical treatment targets, including mucosal healing (0.52 points) and normal biochemical markers (0.39 points), were not scored high by patients. The least important item was the possibility of all-oral therapy (0.19 points in 33 patients, 0 points in 201 patients). Conclusion: Treatment targets for patients were primarily related to quality of life, such as therapy side effects. Knowing these targets may improve patient–physician relationships and communication, and consequently, adherence to therapy.