P817 Influence of inflammatory bowel diseases on depression and suicidal risk: a questionnaire-based survey

T. Molnár1, P. Miheller2, P. Sarlós3, A. Sánta1, A. Juhász2, E. Hamvas4, T. Nyári5, K.J. Szántó1, R. Bor1, A. Fábián1, A. Bálint1, Á. Milassin1, M. Rutka1, Z. Szepes1, K. Farkas1

1University of Szeged, First Department of Medicine, Szeged, Hungary, 2University of Semmelweis, First Department of Surgery, Budapest, Hungary, 3University of Pécs, First Department of Medicine, Pécs, Hungary, 4University of Pécs, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Pécs, Hungary, 5University of Szeged, Department of Medical Physics and Informatics, Szeged, Hungary

Background

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) patients are at increased risk for mental health problems. Managing IBD patients requires cooperation between gastroenterologists and psychologists and psychiatrists. We would like to assess the frequency of depression and suicidal thoughts among Hungarian IBD patients.

Methods

Multicentre, questionnaire-based survey among inflammatory bowel diseases patients. Demographic data and patient’s medical history was obtained with self-filling questionnaires. Patients’ psychic status was measured with Patient’s Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Beck Hopelessness Scale (short version). The survey was conducted in 3 IBD centres in Hungary, First Department of Medicine, University of Szeged, First Department of Surgery, University of Semmelweis and First Department of Medicine, University of Pécs.

Results

Three hundred IBD patients filled the questionnaires from the 3 IBD centres. Female-male ratio was 57% - 47%. Mean age at the time of the study was 38.8 years (SD 12.5) and mean disease duration was 11.5 years (SD 8.2). Sixty-two point three% was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, 37.7% with ulcerative colitis, one patients reported IBD unclassified and three patients did not know the type of IBD. Sixty-nine point three% of the patients self-reported the remission state of IBD, while 30.7% self-reported to have active IBD. Proportion of patients on each category of PHQ-9 scale were the followings: severe 2%, moderate to severe 5.3%, moderate 21.3%, mild 33.6% and 37.6% had normal score. Nine point three% of the patients had elevated suicidal risk. More severe PHQ-9 category was associated with elevated risk for suicide. Significant difference was shown in the Hopelessness Scale’s results among the two genders, female patients had higher risks for suicidal thoughts. Those IBD patients in remission have lower probability for moderate or severe depression.

Conclusion

We have to be aware of that every IBD patient has increased risk for depression and suicide. Among our patients the rate of moderate to severe and severe depression was relatively low. Every tenth of our patients had elevated risk of suicide.