Depression and Risk Factors in Patients with Crohn's Disease

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the risk factors among patients with depression with Crohn's disease. Methods: Data were collected by questionnaire from 276 patients who were diagnosed with Crohn's disease at a tertiary hospital located in Seoul. Measurements included patients' demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, depression level, and health-related quality of life. Data were analyzed using t-test, X-2-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and logistic regression analyses. Results: The incidence rate of depression (BDI-II >= 14scores) was 31.9% (n=88). Univariate analysis revealed that being a woman, school graduation status, economic status (low), BMI(< 18.5Kg/m(2)), disease duration (>= 3 years), CDAI (>= 150 scores), frequency of hospital admission (>= 2), extra-intestinal manifestation (arthralgia, stomatitis), administration of 5-aminosalicylic acid, and disease related quality of life (SIBDQ < 50 scores) were associated with depression. Multivariate analysis revealed that economic status (low), school graduation status, and quality of life (SIBDQ < 50 scores) were more likely to report high level of depression. Conclusion: Future research should consider managing depression as an essential component of comprehensive care for patients with Crohn's disease. In addition, further research is needed to develop strategies to better improve quality of life among patients with Crohn's disease who are depressed.