Psychological distress in Brazilian Crohn's disease patients: Screening, prevalence, and risk factors

Background: Psychological disturbances are frequent in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. However, epidemiological studies of non-western CD populations are limited and may be confounded by genetic and disease-related influences. The aim of this study was to assess die prevalence and risk factors for depression and symptoms of anxiety in Brazilian patients with CD. Material/Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 110 CD patients and 110 control subjects; with erosive esophagitis were assessed for depression and anxiety symptoms using the Beck Depression Inventory and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: The Crohn's and control groups were similar with regard to socio-demographic data. Compared with the controls, the CD patients had a significantly higher prevalence of depressed mood (25.4% vs. 8.2%, P=0.003). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of anxiety between CD subjects (33.6%) and controls (22.7%). Depressed mood rates were higher among those who had active disease and greater CDAI scores (OR: 3.4, 95%CI 1.1-10.8). Family history of depression (OR: 5.3, 95%CI: 2.7-15.1) was related to the co-occurrence of anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: In CD patients, depression and anxiety are highly concurrent conditions. Disease activity was strongly associated with depressed mood, while a family history of depression was related to anxiety. Screening for depression and anxiety should be carried out routinely as part of quality of care improvement in CD individuals.