Survey highlights growing need for psychosocial support in IBD care amid high rates of anxiety and depression
BETHESDA, Md., March 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) released new data highlighting how emotional and social challenges of living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are top of mind for patients but not necessarily their health care providers. To help address these challenges, AGA launched the My IBD Life campaign to support people living with IBD and equip their health care providers to be active partners in their care.
- To help address these challenges, AGA launched the My IBD Life campaign to support people living with IBD and equip their health care providers to be active partners in their care.
- These rates of anxiety and depression are well above the U.S. national averages (19% and 8% respectively)[i], and reports of anxiety have risen since a similar survey was conducted by AGA in 2017 (from 30%).
- Despite the high rates of anxiety and depression among people with IBD, a companion survey of 117 gastroenterologists found that providers are more concerned about treating people with IBD physically than emotionally, and they often report mental health is sufficiently addressed in their patients' IBD care.
- On the provider side, the biggest challenge noted when caring for patients with IBD was insurance authorization for medications.