Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 5, 2025

Author Spotlight: Exploring Non-Pharmacological Therapies for Chronic Respiratory Diseases — Linking Intestinal Microbiome Insights to COPD Treatment
03:25

Author Spotlight: Exploring Non-Pharmacological Therapies for Chronic Respiratory Diseases — Linking Intestinal Microbiome Insights to COPD Treatment

Published on: December 27, 2024

1.2K

Medication adherence and complementary therapy usage in inflammatory bowel disease patients during the coronavirus

Alex Barnes1,2, Jane Andrews3,4, Paul Spizzo1

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology Flinders Medical Centre Bedford Park South Australia Australia.

JGH Open : an Open Access Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
|May 20, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic reduced inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) medication adherence in 5% of patients, linked to increased disease activity and corticosteroid use. Understanding patient beliefs is key to improving adherence and outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Medication nonadherence is a significant issue in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), impacting patient outcomes.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about immunosuppressive medications, potentially affecting patient adherence.
  • Investigating adherence and complementary medicine use during the pandemic is crucial for IBD management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine medication adherence in IBD patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • To assess the usage of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) during the pandemic.
  • To identify factors associated with medication nonadherence in IBD patients during this period.

Main Methods:

  • An online survey was distributed to patients from two tertiary IBD centers.
  • The survey assessed pandemic-attributed nonadherence, CAM use, and IBD medication patterns.
  • Validated instruments measured disease activity, adherence, and beliefs about medicines.

Main Results:

  • 5% of 262 IBD patients reported self-initiated medication nonadherence due to COVID-19.
  • Nonadherence correlated with current corticosteroid use, higher disease activity, and greater medicine concern.
  • CAM use was common, primarily for mental health, and rarely linked to the pandemic.

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted IBD medication adherence in a notable patient subset.
  • Reduced adherence was associated with increased disease activity and corticosteroid requirements.
  • Addressing patient beliefs is essential to prevent adverse outcomes from suboptimal IBD medication adherence.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID‐19gastroenterologyimmunologymedication adherencemicrobiology and inflammatory bowel diseases

More Related Videos

Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis08:58

Analyzing Beneficial Effects of Nutritional Supplements on Intestinal Epithelial Barrier Functions During Experimental Colitis

Published on: January 5, 2017

12.5K
Dynamic Adhesion Assay for the Functional Analysis of Anti-adhesion Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease08:27

Dynamic Adhesion Assay for the Functional Analysis of Anti-adhesion Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Published on: September 20, 2018

7.8K

Related Concept Videos

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management01:29

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Pharmacological Management

Upon diagnosis, managing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) involves addressing several crucial aspects. The primary goals include resting the bowel, correcting malnutrition, and providing symptomatic relief. Resting the bowel may consist of medications to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Correcting malnutrition is essential, often requiring dietary adjustments and nutritional supplements. Symptomatic relief aims to ease pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts in IBD.
Pharmacologic...
255
Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy

Various diagnostic tests are employed in the diagnostic process for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), particularly to differentiate between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
473
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disorder marked by chronic inflammation of the GI tract. Various treatment strategies for Crohn's disease are employed, such as immunomodulatory agents, glucocorticoids, and biologics or anti-TNF therapy. Azathioprine (Imuran), a commonly used immunomodulatory drug for Crohn's disease, is converted in the body to mercaptopurine, which inhibits purine biosynthesis and cell proliferation. Both are utilized in severe cases of Inflammatory Bowel...
299
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids01:21

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids

Glucocorticoids, a class of anti-inflammatory drugs, are pivotal in treating moderate to severe Crohn's disease by inducing remission. They exhibit their anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1, and chemokines like IL-8. In addition, they reduce the expression of inflammatory cell adhesion molecules and inhibit gene transcription of nitric oxide synthase, phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase-2...
265
Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD01:29

Drugs for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis in IBD

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory condition primarily affecting the colon and rectum. The primary drugs used in the treatment of ulcerative colitis are aminosalicylates. They exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. They modulate inflammatory mediators and inhibit the activity of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Aminosalicylates also reduce inflammation by inhibiting prostaglandin and leukotriene production and decreasing neutrophil chemotaxis and superoxide...
284
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF01:24

Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF

Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF), a proinflammatory cytokine, contributes significantly to the inflammation seen in Crohn's disease. It exists as soluble TNF and membrane-bound TNF, with actions mediated through TNF receptors (TNFR). TNFR activation leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines, T-cell activation, collagen production, and leukocyte migration, all contributing to inflammation in Crohn's disease. Anti-TNF monoclonal antibodies, namely infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab...
274