Effect of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Lockdown on Lifestyle Factors in Japanese Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown on lifestyle factors and psychological stress in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients with IBD in Japan 2 months after the initiation of the first state of emergency (June 16 to August 21, 2020). A self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data, and lifestyle factors and psychological stress levels before and after the state of emergency were compared. PATIENTS: Patients with IBD who were followed up regularly at Osaka City University Hospital from June 16 to August 21, 2020, were included and were classified into elderly (≥65 years old) and non-elderly groups (<65 years old). RESULTS: The study sample comprised 451 responders (241, ulcerative colitis; 210, Crohn's disease; 0, COVID-19). The sleep duration increased, whereas the exercise, working, and walking durations decreased during the COVID-19 lockdown. The proportion of patients with psychological stress due to COVID-19, those with an inability to exercise, and those staying indoors increased significantly during COVID-19 lockdown. Lifestyle factors changed more markedly in non-elderly patients, those who were more stressed due to COVID-19, those with the inability to exercise, and those staying indoors during COVID-19 lockdown. Among elderly patients, no significant changes were identified in stress-causing factors. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 lockdown affected lifestyle factors and psychological stress in patients with IBD, particularly non-elderly patients. These findings may be helpful in suggesting favorable lifestyle changes for patients with IBD.