Quality of Life of Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

염증성 장 질환을 가진 청소년의 삶의 질

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the quality of life (QOL) of adolescents who have inflammatory bowel disease. Methods: This was a descriptive comparative study, and participants were 58 adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease and 55 healthy adolescents. The Korean version of $PedsQL^{TM}$ 4.0 scale was used. Ten adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease were also interviewed. Data were analyzed with SPSS Win. Results: Average score on QOL for these adolescents was statistically lower (p<.001) than healthy adolescents, especially for physical and school functioning. QOL of the adolescents who had the disease for more than 4 years, and were taking 3 or more medications was lower QOL than other adolescents with this disease. In interviews, adolescents complained of physical malfunctioning. In emotional functioning, they worried about the reoccurrence of bloody diarrhea, and mood changes. As for social functioning, dietary restrictions, gastrointestinal symptoms, and poor peer relationships were primary concerns. Lastly, in school functioning, frequent absences and lower academic performance were problems. Conclusion: Considering these results, adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease felt anxious because of the uncertain origin of their disease and unpredictable course of the illness. Interventions should include diaries on food, along with education and counseling as nursing interventions.