Impact of Nursing Interventions via Telephone and Email on the Quality of Life of Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Preliminary Results of a Comparative Observational Study.

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is a heterogeneous chronic condition characterized by periods of relapse and remission. Ulcerative colitis involves inflammation of the colon and rectum mucosa, while Crohn's disease causes deeper, transmural inflammation affecting all four gut layers from the mouth to the anus and can lead to complications such as fistulation. IBD significantly impacts patients' physical and psychological well-being, thus reducing their quality of life (QoL). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of nursing intervention facilitated through telephone and email support in improving the quality of life (QoL) of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) patients.

METHODS

A pilot comparative observational design with pre-test and post-test assessments was employed, involving 50 participants assigned to either an intervention group (Group A, n = 26) or a control group (Group B, n = 24). Group A received regular telephone consultations and prompt email responses from trained nurses; Group B received standard care. Data were collected at baseline and six months post-intervention (T1) using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

RESULTS

Group A showed significant improvements in anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep quality, with p-values indicating the significance of these findings.

CONCLUSIONS

Tailored nursing support via remote communication significantly benefits IBD patients by alleviating psychological distress and enhancing their overall well-being, underscoring the importance of integrating such interventions into standard IBD care practices.