Studies suggest that there is a temporal relationship between depression and Crohn's disease (CD) activity. We evaluated the existence of reverse causality reflected in a possible bidirectional relationship between patient-reported CD activity and depression. To research this, we studied 3307 adult volunteers with a self-reported diagnosis of CD who completed a baseline survey that included demographics, CD activity, and depression. Crohn's disease status and depression were also measured 6 and 12 months after the first evaluation. The results of the hypothesis testing showed the most support for the hypothesis stating that depression is a stronger predictor of patient-reported CD activity. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CD patients' negative self-regard is clinically important to understanding change in patient reports of their CD activity. Gastroenterologists should screen for affective-cognitive symptoms of depression in CD patients. Evaluation and treatment of depression may improve the course of CD.

IBD commonly affects men and women during their reproductive ages. Because of this, researchers are interested in knowing how the disease affects fertility and pregnancy. Much research on the impact of IBD on fertility and pregnancy has focused on women, but for this study, researchers focused on men. They wanted to know how men's IBD and their use of IBD medication affect reproductive outcomes. The study results showed that men who received a diagnosis of IBD before trying to conceive were more likely to have difficulty conceiving than men who developed IBD after conceiving. However, these fi ndings were noted only in those with recently active disease within the past 6 months. Men with IBD who were in long-term remission were similar to the rates prior to development of IBD. Exposure to any of the medications for treating IBD was not associated with congenital anomalies, low birth weight or preterm births.

People with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, commonly experience diarrhea and abdominal pain. These symptoms are often related to inflammation associated with IBD. Sometimes these symptoms are related to both IBD and irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. IBS is sensitivity of the intestine without inflammation. Patients with IBD who are diagnosed with IBS may experience changes in their care and well-being. We looked at the rate of IBD-IBS diagnosis in the CCFA Partners network. We also looked at how a diagnosis of IBD-IBS impacts outcomes, such as ability to perform normal daily activities, and use of specific medications. A total of 6309 patients were included, of these, 20% reported being diagnosed with IBS after their IBD diagnosis. Patients with both an IBD and IBS diagnosis had higher rates of narcotic use compared to patients with an IBD diagnosis alone. An IBS diagnosis was associated with anxiety, depression, fatigue, poor sleep quality, pain interference, and decreased social satisfaction. Appropriate diagnosis, treatment, and counseling may help improve outcomes experienced by IBD-IBS patients and reduce narcotic use in this group.

CCFA Partners is an internet cohort of patients with self-reported inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD. In this study, investigators obtained medical records from the doctors treating 99 participants to confirm that they do have IBD. Doctors confirmed IBD diagnosis in 97% of the participants, and confirmed disease type (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) in 97% of those with IBD. These findings support the use of self-reported IBD in CCFA Partners.

In a study of over 300 women with inflammatory bowel disease who reported at least one pregnancy after their IBD diagnosis, more than half reported that their disease symptoms improved during pregnancy, while about 20% said that their disease symptoms were worse during pregnancy. Younger women and women with ulcerative colitis were more likely to have increased disease symptoms during pregnancy. Of the nearly 200 women who breastfed, 14% said that symptoms improved, 13% said symptoms got worse and about 40% said their symptoms did not change during breastfeeding Those with worsening symptoms during breastfeeding were younger and had a lower body mass index than those whose symptoms remained the same or improved.