Objective: Depression is one of the most commonly occurring psychiatric comorbidities in patients suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This study aims to determine prevalence and risk factors for the more severe symptoms of depression (DP) in IBD patients on intravenous biological therapy (IBT).
Patients and methods: The study consisted of 90 IBD patients who completed a Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ9) to detect symptoms of depression. Demographic information and disease characteristics were collected as well as medication information for these patients. Univariate and multivariate ordinal logistic regression was done to identify risk factors for the DP.
Results: Anti-TNF therapy comprised 58.9% of patients and anti-integrin 41.1%. The prevalence of DP (PHQ9score ≥10) among these patients is 20%. For the univariate logistic regression DP was statistically significantly associated with disease activity (OR 6.656; 95% Cl 2.576-17.19, p<0.001), use of corticosteroids (OR 4.224; 95% Cl 1.658-10.76, p = 0.003) and thiopurine (OR 2.502 95% Cl 1.031-6.069, p = 0.042), as well as relationship status (single, in relationship or married) (OR 0.391; 95% Cl 0.173-0.885, p = 0.024). The multivariate analysis indicated that the risk of developing DP was associated with disease activity (OR 5.708; 95% Cl 2.138-15.23, p = 0.001).
Conclusions: Our study shows that most of severe symptoms of depression were present in 20% of the IBD patients examined who were receiving intravenous biological therapy. Particular attention and efforts should, therefore, be focused on patients who have an active form of the disease.