Rate of Corticosteroid-Induced Mood Changes in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Prospective Study

Corticosteroid is an effective therapeutic option for inflammatory bowel disease flares, but its adverse effects may compromise treatment adherence and reduce patients' quality of life. There is lack of data on the incidence of corticosteroid-induced mood changes in this patient population, which may be underappreciated by healthcare providers in clinical practice and interfere with optimal care. This study aimed to determine the rate of mood changes in this patient population.

In this prospective observational study, adult outpatients treated with prednisone for inflammatory bowel disease flares were considered for inclusion. Participants completed validated questionnaires (Beck Depression Inventory-II and Activation Subscale of Internal State Scale version two) before starting prednisone, after two weeks of prednisone, and at the end of prednisone taper to assess for mood changes. Harvey-Bradshaw Index and Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index were used to monitor clinical disease activity.

Fifty-three subjects were included in the analyses. The rate of mood change after two weeks of prednisone was 49.1%, primarily driven by increase in mood towards (hypo)mania. Younger age was an independent risk factor. Mood state returned to pretreatment level at the end of treatment. There was no correlation between clinical disease activity change and mood change.

Oral prednisone for inflammatory bowel disease flare is associated with high rate of mood change. As prednisone is a critical part of induction therapy, ways to minimize this adverse event must be studied. For now, healthcare providers should inform patients and monitor closely for this adverse event.