Self-determination theory (SDT) is a theory of motivation that presumes that humans have three basic psychological needs-autonomy, competence, and relatedness. Each of these needs impacts one's motivation to adhere to a medical regimen. For example, this might mean choosing to take prescribed medications (autonomy), having the mastery to take the medication correctly (competence), and having quality relationships to support those skills (relatedness).

Past research has examined whether SDT can be applied to a variety of health issues, such as asthma, diabetes, and quitting smoking. However, no studies to date have examined this theory in people with ulcerative colitis (UC). Dr. Dasharathy used data from IBD Partners to better understand adherence to oral medications in people with UC, and how this relates to stress, motivation, competence, and relationships with health care providers.

Learn more about this study on our blog.

Post-traumatic stress (PTS) is a chronic psychological reaction to an event where the person experiences actual or perceived threat to life or bodily harm. PTS symptoms include nightmares, flashbacks, irritability or low mood, feeling keyed up or on edge, and avoiding situations that trigger trauma memories.

Before this study, only one study on PTS and IBD, with 140 patients, had been conducted in the US. In the previous study, a much higher than expected proportion of patients (32%) reported moderate to severe symptoms of PTS. Because of the nature of IBD and its treatment, researchers aimed to see if there was a similar proportion of PTS in a larger patient sample through IBD Partners and to see how PTS symptoms are related to patient outcomes.

Researchers measured PTS symptoms in a large study of 797 participants using a standard symptom questionnaire and collected other data from IBD Partners including IBD disease activity, hospitalizations, surgeries, and quality of life. Researchers then looked at relationships between PTS symptom severity and each of these important IBD metrics. As expected, PTS was associated with more severe IBD, increased hospitalizations and surgeries, and increased anxiety, depression, fatigue, and pain impact in daily life. Researchers also found women, and racial and ethnic minorities were disproportionally affected by PTS.