Systematic Review: Stigma Associated With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Stigma, encompassing perceived, enacted, and internalized forms, is a significant issue for individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• This stigma negatively affects patients' quality of life, delays necessary medical treatment, and disrupts social interactions.
• Understanding the multifaceted nature of IBD stigma is essential for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive review of existing research on stigma associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• To summarize data regarding the prevalence, assessment methods, contributing factors, and consequences of stigma in the context of IBD.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed across major databases including MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus.
• The search covered studies reporting on the prevalence, assessment, predictors, and outcomes of stigma in IBD patients from the inception of the databases up to September 2025.
• A total of 73 studies were analyzed to synthesize the findings on IBD stigma.

Main Results:

• Significant heterogeneity exists in stigma assessment methods due to the absence of standardized scales.
• Perceived stigma is highly prevalent, affecting up to 85.6% of adults and 87% of children with IBD.
• Stigma manifests as fear of judgment, body image concerns, relationship difficulties, and workplace discrimination, with lower reported rates for enacted and internalized stigma.

Conclusions:

• The review underscores the need for standardized research methods to accurately assess stigma in IBD.
• Increased public awareness and knowledge about IBD are vital to reduce stigma.
• Interventions focused on enhancing patient resilience and coping mechanisms are recommended to mitigate the negative impacts of stigma.