Work Productivity Loss in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients in Turkey

BACKGROUND: Beyond the medical treatment in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), there are other issues which influence the quality of life adversely. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the IBD patients' illness on working and education life. METHOD: The participants were invited to participate in the online survey from the Turkish Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis Patient Association network. The data was analysed and then discussed to improve the health-related quality of working and education life. RESULTS: One hundred and fifteen patients had ulcerative colitis (UC) (57.2%), and 86 had Crohn's disease (CD) (42.8%). There was a statistically significant difference in UC between retirement age group 1 (<40 age) and groups 2 (40-49 ages) and 4 (60-65 ages) (p < 0.05). There was the same significant difference in CD. Even though the data did not have significant statistical difference, there was clustering around negative perceptions the patients have about their working and education lives. CONCLUSION: Our survey revealed a very strong causative relationship between work and IBD involving problems before, during, and at the end of employment. Young patients lower their career expectations, and that announces a clear need to support them and improve career guidance.