P143 Depression and anxiety symptoms among patients with early inflammatory bowel disease during and after COVID-19 lockdown

Sempere Robles, L.(1);Bernabeu, P.(2);Cameo, J.(1);Gutiérrez, A.(1);García, G.(3);García, M.F.(4);Aguas, M.(5);Zapater, P.(6);Ruiz-Cantero, M.T.(7);van-der Hofstadt , C.(2);

(1)General University Hospital-Alicante. ISABIAL., Gastroenterology Department, Alicante, Spain;(2)General University Hospital-Alicante. ISABIAL., Health Psychology Department, Alicante, Spain;(3)University Hospital-San Juan, Gastroenterology Department, Alicante, Spain;(4)General University Hospital-Elche, Gastroenterology Department, Elche, Spain;(5)University and Polytechnic La Fe Hospital, Gastroenterology Department, Valencia, Spain;(6)General University Hospital-Alicante. ISABIAL.CIBERESP, Clinical Pharmachology Department., Alicante, Spain;(7)University of Alicante. CIBERESP, Public Health Department, Alicante, Spain

Background

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are vulnerable to some psychological disorders. Here we describe the psychological impact of a COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in patients with IBD.

Methods

This multicenter prospective cohort study included 145 patients recently diagnosed with IBD. Data on clinical and demographic characteristics, anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and IBD activity (the Modified Harvey Bradshaw Index for CD and Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index for CU) were collected in two telephone surveys, during and after the first COVID-19 lockdown in Spain. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated.

Results

During lockdown, 33.1% and 24.1% scored high on the anxiety and depression scales, respectively. Independent factors related to anxiety (all values ORs; 95% CIs) during lockdown were female sex (2; 1.2–5.4) and IBD activity (4.3; 1.8–10.4). Factors related to depression were comorbidity (3.3; 1.1–9.8), IBD activity (6; 1.9–18.1), use of biologics (2.9; 1.1–7.6), and living alone or with one person (3.1; 1.2–8.2). After lockdown, anxiety and depression symptoms showed significant improvement, with 24.8% and 15.2% having high scores for anxiety and depression, respectively. Factors related to post-lockdown anxiety were female sex (2.5; 1.01–6.3), Crohn’s disease (3.3; 1.3–8.5), and active IBD (4.1; 1.2–13.7). Factors associated with depression were previous history of mood and/or anxiety disorders (6.3; 1.6–24.9), active IBD (7.5; 2.1–26.8), and steroid use (6.4; 1.4–29).

Conclusion

Lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant psychological impact in patients with IBD. Disease activity was related to the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms during and after lockdown.