Analysis of the relationship between quality of life and acceptance of illness in patients with Leśniowski-Crohn’s disease

Aim of the study
Crohn’s disease belongs to the group of non-specific inflammatory bowel diseases. Due to its chronic nature, incurability, and the risk of various complications, this disorder imposes a huge bio-psycho-social burden on patients. The aim of the study was to analyse the relationship between the quality of life and the acceptance of illness in patients suffering from Crohn’s disease.

Material and methods
The study involved 100 adult patients with Crohn’s disease hospitalised in the Department of Gastroenterology SPSK No. 1 of the PUM in Szczecin. A diagnostic survey method was used for the research using standardised research tools: SF-36v2, Acceptance of Illness Scale, and the authors’ own questionnaire.

Results
The highest quality of health was achieved by patients in physical functioning (78.50) and the lowest in vitality (42.25), whereas the largest group of patients demonstrated a moderate acceptance of illness (49%). A statistically significant positive correlation between the quality of life and acceptance of illness was found for all domains (p < 0.001) except for the social functioning domain.

Conclusions
A higher level of acceptance of illness has a positive impact on the quality of life of patients in the bio-psycho-social sphere. Patients who are characterised by a higher degree of acceptance of illness show a higher level of adaptation to life with the disease and a better quality of life.