Marijuana is legal in a number of states for indications that include inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and patients are interested in its potential benefits. For this study, we aimed to describe the legal use of marijuana in individuals with IBD in the USA who participate within the IBD Partners Patient Network. Approximately 2400 participants who lived in states where prescription or recreational marijuana was legal, were offered the chance to complete a survey on marijuana use and IBD symptoms. Surveys were completed by 1666 participants (71%). Within the surveyed group, 234 participants lived where both medical and recreational marijuana is legal and 49 mentioned recreational marijuana use specifically for IBD. Most of the users reported positive benefits, but users also reported more depression, anxiety, pain, and lower social satisfaction than non-users. Overall, we found that few IBD patients consulted their medical doctors about marijuana use or used prescription marijuana. Where recreational marijuana was available, usage rates were higher. Users reported benefits but also more I BD symptoms, depression, anxiety, and pain. Marijuana use may be higher in patients with IBD symptoms not well treated by traditional medical treatments.

People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of blood clots due to having inflammation. Other risk factors can include things like smoking, using steroids, and being overweight. Most forms of hormonal contraception (birth control pills) have estrogen which can also increase clotting risk. We studied whether people with IBD that had risk factors for clotting were also put on birth control pills. This could be an opportunity for prevention (as other birth control options are available that do not increase clotting risk). Over 3000 women with IBD completed surveys asking about birth control methods and other risk factors for clotting. Birth control pills were used in over 30% of women with IBD. Women with risk factors for clotting (smoking, steroids, obesity) still had the same rates of birth control pill use as those without these risk factors. Based on this study, it is important for GI doctors to ask patients about birth control use and find out whether they also have other risk factors for a blood clot. By changing the form of contraception, this could prevent a complication of a blood clot in the future.

Patient-reported outcomes, or PROs, can give useful information to doctors and researchers about patient health. In a study of over 7000 patients with inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, PROs showed that IBD patients had more anxiety, depression, fatigue and sleep disturbance, and less social satisfaction than the general population. Using corticosteroids made all of the outcomes worse. These results showed that IBD patients, like patients with other chronic illnesses, were lower functioning than the general population.

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.