A model of quality of life in the patients with Crohn's disease

Purpose: To identify the integrated impact of psychological, social, and clinical factors onto the quality of life (QOL) in the patients with Crohn's disease. Subjects and Methods: Two hundred twenty two out-patients participated in a cross-sectional questionnaire survey in which health- related QOL (SF36), disease-specific symptoms, psychological adaptation, and social support were measured. Multi-variable regression models were used to test the impact of clinical, psychological, and social factors on the patient's QOL and symptom reports. Results: The patient's symptoms and health-related QOL were significantly associated not only with disease activities, but also with the patient's psychological adaptation and the quality of social support. Conclusion: The results strongly suggest that a psychoeducational intervention may be useful in combination with a clinical intervention to improve the patient's QOL.