The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients with Ulcerative Colitis: Results from a Global Patient Survey

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic created challenges for patients with ulcerative colitis. These challenges included managing symptoms, lifestyle changes, and access to health care.

Snyder Institute member Dr. Remo Panaccione, MD, was part of an international study team that asked patients with ulcerative colitis to answer questions about their experience during the pandemic, with a goal to understand how the pandemic was affecting them. The results of the study were recently published in Advances in Therapy.

A total of 584 patients from the United States, Canada, Japan, France, and Finland took part in the study. The researchers asked patients about their disease activity during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with before the pandemic and how their disease was managed, their access to health care, and their experience during the pandemic. They also asked them about their satisfaction with the types of appointments they had during the pandemic (for example, in-person or virtual meetings), and their interactions and preference for interactions with their doctors. The questions were asked and answered online.

The study team found that most patients were satisfied with their current treatment plan, their access to health care, and the quality of the care they received. However, many patients experienced greater stress or anxiety, and there was a negative impact on their emotional well-being. During the pandemic, more patients relied on alternative support systems such as online patient portals or virtual appointments, but patients preferred in-person appointments with their doctors in most cases except for refilling prescriptions.

Going forward, this information may help healthcare providers understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with ulcerative colitis, and may help doctors and patients develop treatment plans that include both in-person and virtual appointments.