Faculty mentor/PI email address
Yschneid@virtua.org
Is your research Teaching and Learning based?
1
Keywords
Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety, IBD, Crohns, Ulcerative Colitis
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Background: Depression and anxiety are prevalent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may adversely influence outcomes. We evaluated the impact of comorbid mood disorders on clinical outcomes among IBD patients treated with anti–IL-23 agents.
Methods: Using a global de-identified electronic health record network, adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis initiating an anti–IL-23 agent were identified. Cohort 1 included patients with a documented mood disorder (depression and/or anxiety) at or prior to treatment initiation; Cohort 2 included those without mood disorders. Propensity score matching (1:1) on demographics and comorbidities yielded 3,546 patients per cohort. Primary outcomes included inpatient/ED encounters, abscess/fistula, all-cause mortality, and need for an alternative biologic. Secondary outcomes included steroid use, emotional symptoms, and colectomy. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.
Results: Compared with IBD patients without mood disorders, those with depression/anxiety had significantly higher risks of inpatient/ED encounters (50.6% vs. 38.6%; RR 1.31) and abscess/fistula (15.1% vs. 10.3%; RR 1.47). Mortality was numerically higher but not statistically significant (1.3% vs. 1.1%; RR 1.15, p=NS). Need for an alternative biologic did not differ significantly (12.7% vs. 11.8%; RR 1.07). Secondary outcomes favored the non-mood disorder cohort, with higher steroid use (52.8% vs. 42.9%; RR 1.23), emotional symptoms (3.1% vs. 0.6%; RR 5.50), and colectomy rates (7.8% vs. 5.9%; RR 1.33) in the mood disorder group.
Conclusions: Comorbid depression and anxiety in IBD patients receiving anti–IL-23 therapy are associated with significantly higher healthcare utilization, surgical risk, and steroid dependence, underscoring the importance of routine mental health integration into advanced IBD care.
Disciplines
Digestive System Diseases | Medicine and Health Sciences | Psychiatric and Mental Health
Mental health comorbidities and IBD outcomes in patients treated with anti–IL-23 therapy
Background: Depression and anxiety are prevalent in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and may adversely influence outcomes. We evaluated the impact of comorbid mood disorders on clinical outcomes among IBD patients treated with anti–IL-23 agents.
Methods: Using a global de-identified electronic health record network, adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis initiating an anti–IL-23 agent were identified. Cohort 1 included patients with a documented mood disorder (depression and/or anxiety) at or prior to treatment initiation; Cohort 2 included those without mood disorders. Propensity score matching (1:1) on demographics and comorbidities yielded 3,546 patients per cohort. Primary outcomes included inpatient/ED encounters, abscess/fistula, all-cause mortality, and need for an alternative biologic. Secondary outcomes included steroid use, emotional symptoms, and colectomy. Risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals were calculated.
Results: Compared with IBD patients without mood disorders, those with depression/anxiety had significantly higher risks of inpatient/ED encounters (50.6% vs. 38.6%; RR 1.31) and abscess/fistula (15.1% vs. 10.3%; RR 1.47). Mortality was numerically higher but not statistically significant (1.3% vs. 1.1%; RR 1.15, p=NS). Need for an alternative biologic did not differ significantly (12.7% vs. 11.8%; RR 1.07). Secondary outcomes favored the non-mood disorder cohort, with higher steroid use (52.8% vs. 42.9%; RR 1.23), emotional symptoms (3.1% vs. 0.6%; RR 5.50), and colectomy rates (7.8% vs. 5.9%; RR 1.33) in the mood disorder group.
Conclusions: Comorbid depression and anxiety in IBD patients receiving anti–IL-23 therapy are associated with significantly higher healthcare utilization, surgical risk, and steroid dependence, underscoring the importance of routine mental health integration into advanced IBD care.