Patient Awareness of Extra intestinal Manifestations of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: Insight into extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is important to the patient's quality of life and their coping with the disease. Objectives: We investigated the awareness and source of information about EIMs among patients with IBD. Methods: A total of 210 patients [117 (55.7%) males; 93(44.3%) females; age > 18 years] with a diagnosis of IBD were included in this cross-sectional study conducted from July to October 2016 in 3 gastroenterology clinics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected using a convenience sampling technique and via self-administered questionnaires designed by the investigators. The chi-square test was used for the data analysis. Results: Most respondents were aware of the relation between IBD and at least 1 EIM (81.9%); however, none could identify all 9 EIMs. Most respondents (57.1%) could identify 2 or less EIMs and the EIM least known to them was venous thromboembolism (4.8%). The most recognized complication was colon cancer (53.8%) followed by oral lesions (42.9%). Less than half of the patients were aware of the relation of arthritis, skin lesions, eye inflammation, and osteoporosis with inflammatory bowel disease. Relatively few participants were aware of the relationship of primary sclerosing cholangitis (14.3%), kidney stones (7.6%), and venous thromboembolism (4.8%) with the disease. Conclusions: Patients had high awareness of the common EIMs and complications but revealed poor knowledge of the rare ones, which may be associated with higher morbidity rates. We suggest that these patients be properly educated not only on EIMs with high incidence but also those with low incidence.