Quality of life study in a regional group of patients with Crohn disease. A structured interview study.

Background: The course and prognosis of Crohn disease has previously been described in a regional group of patients in Copenhagen County. The aim of the present study was to reveal the quality of life, as judged by the patients, and compared to age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Methods: Out of 100 consecutive out-patients with Crohn disease, 94 patients accepted to participate together with 94 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. A modified McMaster Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ23) was used, excluding bowel-related questions. Medical students conducted interviews without knowing who were Crohn disease patients and who were controls. The bowel-related questions and Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) were assessed by gastroenterologists at inclusion in the study. Responses were indicated on a seven-point scale (7 best/1 worst). Mean numeric score was calculated as well as a delta score, i.e. the difference in score between a patient and the matched control. Results: In 21 of 23 qu...