Objective: To determine the impact of perianal fistula (PAF) on the daily activities of patients with Crohn's disease (CD).
Methods: A web-based questionnaire was performed to compare the quality of life (QOL) and work productivity using the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ) and the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire respectively, between 30 patients with
... [Show full abstract] CD and PAF (PAF+ group) and 60 patients with CD but without PAF (PAF- group).
Results: Although the PAF+ group was younger and had more severe CD compared with the PAF- group, the employment rates of the two groups were similar. The mean SIBDQ total scores for the PAF+ and PAF- groups were 3.9 and 4.9, respectively (p < 0.001), indicating that the QOL of patients with PAF was significantly lower than that of patients without PAF. Regarding work productivity, the mean percentage of overall work impairment was 57% for the PAF+ group and 38% for the PAF- group (p = 0.035), suggesting that the work productivity of patients with PAF was also significantly lower than that of patients without PAF.
Conclusion: Patients with CD have low QOL and work productivity, which are further reduced for patients with CD and PAF.
