Treatment with immunosuppressive therapy may improve depressive symptoms in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

Recent research suggests a relationship of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and depression. Our objective was to evaluate for improvement of depressive symptoms with treatment of IBD using immunosuppressive medications.

METHODS:

A retrospective study of consecutive patients with IBD started on immunosuppressive agents [anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) or immunomodulator therapy] was conducted. Patients were evaluated if disease activity indices using Harvey Bradshaw Index for Crohn's disease (CD) and Simple Clinical Colitis Disease Activity Index for ulcerative colitis (UC) and depressive indices using Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores were obtained before and at least 30 days after initiation of therapy.

RESULTS:

Sixteen patients with UC and 53 patients with CD (all with active disease symptoms) were evaluated over a 60 day median follow-up evaluation (range 30, 140 days). Twenty-two patients started on immunomodulator therapy, and 47 patients started on anti-TNF therapy. Crohn's disease patients had significantly decreased PHQ-9 scores at follow-up [median 9 (range 3, 14) to 4 (1, 8)], with significant decreases only in those started on anti-TNF therapy. Changes in PHQ-9 and CRP were correlated (ρ = 0.38, p < 0.05). In patients with UC, PHQ-9 scores [5 (3, 9) to 2 (0, 5)] were significantly decreased. Percentage at risk of moderate to severe depression (PHQ-9 scores ≥10) was lower after treatment [Crohn's disease 51-18 % (p < 0.05), ulcerative colitis 18-0 %].

CONCLUSION:

Depressive scores decreased significantly in patients with IBD treated with immunosuppressive therapy and the number at risk for moderate to severe depression improved significantly.

• Authors: Sara Horst, Andrew Chao, Michael Rosen, Anne Nohl, Caroline Duley, Julianne H Wagnon, Dawn B Beaulieu, Warren Taylor, Lawrence Gaines, David A Schwartz
• Journal: Digestive diseases and sciences (Dig Dis Sci) Vol. 60 Issue 2 Pg. 465-70 (Feb 2015) ISSN: 1573-2568 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25274158 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Immunosuppressive Agents
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Colitis, Ulcerative (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy, immunology, psychology)
• Crohn Disease (complications, diagnosis, drug therapy, immunology, psychology)
• Depression (diagnosis, etiology, immunology, psychology)
• Female
• Humans
• Immunosuppressive Agents (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Factors
• Severity of Illness Index
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (antagonists & inhibitors, metabolism)
• Young Adult