[Social consequences of Crohn's disease]

Impairment of social function was measured by questionnaire in 270 patients with Crohn's disease. In about half of them, the disease had had its onset below the age of 20 years. In 10%, schooling or job training was delayed or even had to be abandoned. Ten percent of the patients were forced to change their occupation because of the disease. 23.5% of the patients stated that their illness had prevented them from having whole-day jobs. Ten percent had temporary or permanent pensions; 3.8% were unemployed. 43.7% of patients stated that the relation to their family and (or) partner was impaired by the disease; in 36.4% the disease had interfered with leisure time activities. The results show that Crohn's disease has social effects which in the individual case can be very serious; they correlate with the duration and severity of the disease. Nonetheless, the majority of patients succeeds in mastering their chosen training and occupation and leading an active life.