[Social integration of Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis patients. Study of the relations of somatic, psychological and social factors]

Abstract

63 patients with Crohn's disease and 58 patients with ulcerative colitis were tested with the "Fragebogen zur sozialen Integration" (FSI, questionnaire of social adjustment), the "Freiburger Persönlichkeitsinventar" (FPI) and a semistandardized interview and were compared with surgical controls. Activity, course and symptoms of the disease were registered. We found significant restrictions in working and lesiure activities, partnership and sexual life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Social adjustment of patients with Crohn's disease was more dependent on disease activity than in patients with ulcerative colitis. Social impairment in patients with Crohn's disease correlated with higher stool frequency and abdominal pain, in patients with ulcerative colitis with reduced general state of health, tiredness and limpness. In the "Freiburger Persönlichkeitsinventar" (FPI) the patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease described themselves significantly more nervous, inhibited, reserved and less aggressive, sociable and composed. The FPI scores in patients with Crohn's disease depended more on disease activity and on somatic symptoms than in patients with ulcerative colitis.