Mental health well-being and quality of life among celiac, ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients in Palestine

Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and celiac disease who face psychosocial issues are at higher risk of relapse and treatment adherence challenges. This study examines the mental health statuses and their correlations with quality of life among IBD patients in Palestine. A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2022 to January 2023 in three governmental and three non-governmental hospitals and internal medicine clinics in the Northern West Bank, Palestine. Structured questionnaires, including the GHQ-12 for mental health, WHOQOL-32 for quality of life, and BSI-18 for symptoms, were administered. Statistical analyses, including adjusted linear regression and Pearson's correlation tests, were performed using SPSS version 26.0, with a significance level of p-value 0.05. The study included 243 participants, average age 34.7 +/- 12.51 years, 57.2% female. About 55.1% were identified with potential psychological concerns. Females had a higher prevalence of mental health issues than males. Relationships were found between somatic symptoms, depression, anxiety, and physical health; more physical symptoms correlated with higher depression and anxiety rates. Depression was linked to decreased confidence and social dysfunction. Significant negative correlation (-0.517, p-value 0.001) was observed between psychological problems (GHQ-12) and quality of life. Somatic symptoms, anxiety, depression, loss of confidence, and social dysfunction negatively affect the quality of life of IBD and celiac disease patients. The study highlights the significant impact of mental health on quality of life, with half of the sample potentially facing escalating psychological challenges without appropriate interventions.