Impact of inflammatory bowel diseases on working life: A French nationwide survey

Abstract

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) affect working-age patients. Data was lacking concerning the impact on working life.

Aims: The French IBD patient association conducted a nationwide survey to assess the burden of IBD at work.

Methods: An online survey was performed in 2016, targeting IBD patients working or having worked previously. The results were compared to those observed in the general population.

Results: Data from 1410 IBD patients were analyzed (62% Crohn's disease, 35% ulcerative colitis). Four-fifth of respondents were actively employed. Half of them stated that working with IBD was a problem. Compared to the general population, IBD employees had higher rates of permanent contracts, public employment but also of part-time contracts, and highly graduated patients were less likely to reach high qualified jobs. Among the disabling symptoms at work, fatigue was the most frequent (41%) followed by diarrhea (25%) and fecal incontinence (18%). Despite these difficulties, 76% were satisfied with their job. Most patients shared their IBD diagnosis with their colleagues, but 25% of them regretted it.

Conclusion: IBD has a strong negative impact on working life. While work satisfaction remains high, IBD affects career plans, highlighting the need for supporting measures to improve patients' work experience.

Keywords: Burden; Crohn’s disease; Professional life; Ulcerative colitis.