Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Its Unique Impact on Body Image: A Qualitative Exploration

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Growing evidence links inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) to body image dissatisfaction, poorer quality of life, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
• Quantitative studies show high body image dissatisfaction in IBD patients, but qualitative insights into their lived experiences are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively explore the impact of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on body image.
• To understand the specific nuances of body image experiences in the IBD population.

Main Methods:

• Co-design workshop interviews were conducted with 10 individuals diagnosed with IBD (8 women, 2 men; mean age 35).
• Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify key themes.

Main Results:

• Four overarching themes emerged: 'Not Mainstream Body Image,' 'Functionality at the Core of Body Evaluation and Quality of Life,' 'Eating, Symptom Control, and Body Image,' and 'Unpredictability, Invisibility, and Social Appraisals.'
• These themes highlight the pervasive and unique ways IBD affects individuals' perception of their bodies.

Conclusions:

• The identified themes underscore the profound and multifaceted impact of IBD on body image, quality of life, eating behaviors, and mental well-being.
• Findings emphasize the necessity of addressing body image concerns and promoting mental health support for individuals with IBD.