Social implications of childhood Crohn's disease

Background: Children with Crohn's disease may have an impaired quality of l ife. Methods: A validated questionnaire was mailed to the parents of all child m embers of Crohn's in Childhood Research Association (CICRA) (age range, 5-1 7 years). It investigated aspects of the quality of life of children with C rohn's disease. Sixty-four questionnaires were returned together with anoth er 35 from those outside the defined age range. Patients in the latter grou p were not included in the analysis. Results: Of the children investigated, 60% had significant absences from sc hool, with a mean of 3 +/- 2.8 months' absence in the previous year. Most ( 53%) thought that their teachers knew nothing about Crohn's disease, and 50 % thought that teachers were unsympathetic. Of the 24 who had taken examina tions 80% thought they had underachieved because of ill health. Sixty-seven percent of children were unable to participate in sports on a regular basi s, 60% felt unable to leave the house, and 50% were unable to play with the ir friends. Information about Crohn's disease had predominantly come from d octors (89%), information booklets (83%), and nursing staff (42%). The comm onest questions asked by the children were: what is Crohn's disease (50%), why me (64%), will it affect my schooling (52%), and will it affect my chan ces of getting a job (67%). Conclusion: Children with Crohn's disease have a significantly impaired qua lity of life. They fear everyday childhood activities and fear for their fu ture. These children need sympathetic management, and effort should be conc entrated on improving their day-to-day existence to enable them to lead as normal a life as possible.