Back to Search
Start Over
"It doesn't do any harm, but patients feel better": a qualitative exploratory study on gastroenterologists' perspectives on the role of antidepressants in inflammatory bowel disease.
- Source :
-
BMC gastroenterology [BMC Gastroenterol] 2007 Sep 24; Vol. 7, pp. 38. Date of Electronic Publication: 2007 Sep 24. - Publication Year :
- 2007
-
Abstract
- Background: Interest in psychological factors in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has increased in recent years. It has even been proposed that treating psychological co-morbidities with antidepressants may control disease activity and improve quality of life. Despite this, there is no data on gastroenterologists' attitudes to, and experiences with, antidepressant therapy in patients with IBD.<br />Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 18 gastroenterologists associated with metropolitan teaching hospitals. Qualitative content analysis was used to examine their responses.<br />Results: Seventy-eight percent of gastroenterologists had treated IBD patients with antidepressants for pain, depression and/or anxiety, and insomnia. Antidepressants were reported to be useful in improving psychosocial well-being, quality of life, and self-management of the disease by patients. However, in this group of gastroenterologists, there appears to be skepticism towards psychological disorders themselves or antidepressant therapy having a central role in either the causation of IBD or its clinical course. Nevertheless, these gastroenterologists were receptive to the idea of conducting a trial of the role of antidepressants in IBD.<br />Conclusion: While the majority of specialists have treated IBD patients with antidepressants, there is considerable skepticism with regard to efficacy of antidepressive therapy or the role of psychological factors in the outcome of IBD patients.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Attitude of Health Personnel
Depressive Disorder diagnosis
Depressive Disorder etiology
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Middle Aged
Quality of Life
Antidepressive Agents therapeutic use
Depressive Disorder drug therapy
Gastroenterology methods
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases drug therapy
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases psychology
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1471-230X
- Volume :
- 7
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- BMC gastroenterology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 17892587
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-230X-7-38