Background and aim: After a decrease of COVID-19 cases in summer, Europe faced the appearance of a COVID-19 second wave. IBD patients are more vulnerable to various emotional and psychological stresses than normal individuals. The aim of this study explored the emotional state, perception, and coping strategies of patients with IBD during the COVID 19 pandemic period.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 15 November and 15 December 2020. Patients presented to IBD Study Group Clinic, Department of Tropical Medicine, Ain Shams University Hospitals. The study included 105 IBD patients. A predesigned questionnaire was used that focused on patients' knowledge of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it influenced patient care. Patient demographics, disease characteristics, and medication type were analyzed.
Results: We found 10.5% of patients stopped or delayed their medications owing to the COVID-19 pandemic second wave and 61% reported that their clinic visits were affected. Seven patients were tested, and two patients reported having been diagnosed with COVID-19, and 18 patients reported having relatives diagnosed with COVID-19.
Conclusion: A considerable number of patients with IBD had an interruption to their care because of the second wave COVID-19 pandemic. So, patients with IBD should take attention before, during, and after such pandemics to avoid undesirable disease-related outcomes.
Keywords: COVID‐19; inflammatory bowel disease; pandemic; psychological stress; second wave.
© 2021 The Authors. JGH Open published by Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology Foundation and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.