Sick Leave, Work Disability and Quality of Life in Korean Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Diseases

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract that significantly affects quality of life of patients. Several studies have reported that the loss of work productivity is significantly higher than that of the general population due to disease-related symptoms and various factors in patients with inflammatory bowel disease in Western countries, but there is few data in Korea. Therefore, this study is to assess the effect of disease on sick leave, work disability and health related quality of life in Korean patients with inflammatory bowel disease by using validated questionnaires.

First, the investigators will estimate the prevalence of work disability in patients with inflammatory bowel disease using the Work Productivity and Activity Index (WPAI), that have been validated in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Secondary, the predictor of work productivity impairment in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and distribution of type and severity of work disability will be identified. Third, the investigators will explore the correlation between the quality of life and psychosocial aspects (anxiety disorder, depression) of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. One year later, the same questionnaire will be surveyed repeatedly in the same participants under usual care to investigate the changes in patient-reported outcome measures.