A Systematic Review of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Epidemiology and Health Outcomes in Sexual and Gender Minority Individuals

Inclusive Inflammatory Bowel Disease Care for Sexual and Gender Minorities: An Urgent Need in Uncertain Times

This editorial provides commentary on recent research on the relationship between gender- and sexual-orientation-related minority stress and inflammatory bowel disease outcomes, explores future directions for research in this area, and provides specific recommendations for LGBTQ + affirming GI care.

Health Outcomes, Discrimination, and Stigma Among Sexual and Gender Minority People With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals often experience more discrimination and worse health than non-SGM people. Less is known about SGM individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We studied IBD outcomes, discrimination, illness-related stigma, and SGM status in a cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

In total, 1586 IBD Partners e-cohort participants self-reported sexual orientation, gender identity, and prior IBD treatment. They completed the Short Crohn's Disease Activity Index or Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index, the Everyday Discrimination Scale, and the Paradox of Self Stigma (PASS-24) scale. We performed regression analyses controlling for age, race, disease duration, and IBD type.

RESULTS

SGM people were 7.8% (n = 124) of the cohort. SGM participants were younger than non-SGM participants (median age 40 vs. 54 years, P < .001). Among SGM individuals, 67% (n = 74) were in remission based on disease activity scores. Among non-SGM individuals, 74% (n = 936) were in remission (P = .097). Similar proportions of SGM and non-SGM persons reported prior IBD-related hospitalization (40% vs. 37%, P = .426; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.95, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-1.45) and IBD-related surgery (52% vs. 54%, P = .707, aOR 1.25, 95% CI, 0.81-1.94). SGM respondents reported more discrimination (71% vs. 47%, P < .001), and 43% of SGM individuals reported healthcare-related discrimination versus 21% of non-SGM individuals (P < .001). SGM persons also endorsed more internalized stigma (median PASS-24 scores 53 vs. 47, P = .026).

CONCLUSIONS

SGM individuals with IBD are more likely to experience discrimination, including in healthcare, and illness-related stigma. These may significantly impact the quality of life and should be considered in the care of SGM people with IBD.

Healthcare Providers' Perspectives on Anoreceptive Intercourse in Sexual and Gender Minorities With Ileal Pouch Anal Anastomosis

INTRODUCTION

Evidence-based recommendations for sexual practices regarding anoreceptive intercourse (ARI) do not exist in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases undergoing restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA). This study surveys providers on perspectives and attitudes related to sexual practices after IPAA.

METHODS

We developed a 23-item survey and distributed it to providers caring for patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

RESULTS

95% of providers believe that it is important to discuss sexual orientation or practices before IPAA, but only 27% routinely discuss this. 50% did not feel comfortable and 74% did not feel confident discussing ARI recommendations with patients who underwent or will undergo IPAA.

DISCUSSION

Future interventions should aim to standardize recommendations regarding feasibility and time line to safe ARI after IPAA.

Gender and Sex Differences in Abdominal Pain, Fatigue, And Psychological Symptoms Among Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Network Analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) experience a high symptom burden, including abdominal pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances; yet, little is known regarding the relationship between sex and gender on symptoms. We sought to report symptom severity for cisgender men, cisgender women, and transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals. In addition, we used network analysis to identify core symptoms and explore if symptoms and their relationships differ between cisgender men and cisgender women.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. We recruited adults with IBD online through ResearchMatch. Individuals responded to Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information symptom questionnaires, as well as demographic and clinical questionnaires. Network analysis was used to identify the core symptoms driving the symptom structure.

RESULTS

One-hundred and fifty-seven (63.3%) participants identified as cisgender women, 84 (33.9%) as cisgender men, and 7 (2.8%) as TGD. Cisgender men (M = 61.8) and TGD (M = 61.3) groups reported higher abdominal pain levels compared with cisgender women (M = 57.8; P = .02). Transgender and gender-diverse individuals reported higher depression levels (M = 64.8) compared with cisgender men (M = 56.7) and cisgender women (M = 54.4; P = .01). Using a network analysis approach, anxiety and fatigue emerged as core symptoms for the entire sample (clinically active and inactive disease), and among only those with active clinical disease. Fatigue was a top core symptom for cisgender women; anxiety emerged as a top core symptom for cisgender men.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights that fatigue and anxiety are core symptoms among individuals with IBD and demonstrates a potential sex and/or gender difference in core symptoms. Replication of this study is needed with further consideration of inclusion of TGD patients.

Inequalities in Healthcare Access, Experience and Outcomes in Adults With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are incurable diseases that require lifelong access to health services. Accumulating evidence of inequalities in health care access, experience, and outcomes for individuals with IBD is apparent. This review aimed to describe the inequalities in healthcare access, experiences, and outcomes of care for adults with IBD, to identify research gaps, and to identify future research priorities in this area.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted to retrieve quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods evidence from 3 databases (EMBASE, Medline, and CINAHL) published between January 1, 2000, and September 27, 2023.

RESULTS

Fifty-one studies met the criteria for inclusion. The majority (42 of 51) focused on IBD health outcomes, followed by healthcare access (24 of 51). Significantly fewer investigated patient experiences of IBD healthcare (8 of 51). Most available studies reported on race/ethnic disparities of healthcare (33 of 51), followed by inequalities driven by socioeconomic differences (12 of 51), rurality (7 of 51), gender and sex (3 of 51), age (2 of 51), culture (2 of 51), literacy (1 of 51), and sexuality (1 of 51). Inflammatory bowel disease patients from Black, Asian, and Hispanic ethnic groups had significantly poorer health outcomes. A lack of research was found in the sexual and gender minority community (1 of 51). No research was found to investigate inequalities in IBD patients with learning disabilities or autism.

CONCLUSIONS

Further research, particularly utilizing qualitative methods, is needed to understand health experiences of underserved patient populations with IBD. Cultural humility in IBD care is required to better serve individuals with IBD of Black and Asian race/ethnicity. The lack of research amongst sexual and gender minority groups with IBD, and with learning disabilities, poses a risk of creating inequalities within inequalities.

The Relationship Between Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Narrative Review

BACKGROUND

There is clear evidence that loneliness and social isolation have profound health consequences. Documenting the associations of loneliness and social isolation with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms, disease severity, and treatment outcomes could meaningfully improve health and quality of life in patients with IBD.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this narrative review was to synthesize the empirical evidence on the associations of loneliness and social isolation with IBD symptoms, disease severity, and treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Articles were identified through systematic database searches. Quantitative studies that enrolled patients with IBD were included if they examined one of the following outcomes: (a) loneliness or social isolation or (b) IBD-related symptoms, disease severity, or treatment outcomes.

RESULTS

We identified 1,816 articles after removing duplicates. Of the 18 studies that met the inclusion criteria, 15 were cross-sectional and 3 were longitudinal. Overall, studies found that loneliness was associated with greater disease activity, functional gastrointestinal symptoms, IBD illness stigma, depressive symptoms, daily IBD symptom burden, reduced resilience, and poorer quality of life. Social isolation was associated with higher prevalence of IBD hospitalizations, premature mortality, and depression.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggest that loneliness and social isolation are associated with poorer health and quality of life in patients with IBD. Prospective cohort studies examining the biobehavioral mechanisms accounting for the associations of loneliness and social isolation with IBD-related outcomes are needed to guide the development of psychological interventions for individuals living with IBD.

Sex and gender in inflammatory bowel disease outcomes and research

Extensive patient heterogeneity is a challenge in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Sex and gender, as well as the interaction of sex and gender with other social identities, referred to as intersectionality, contribute to this heterogeneity and might affect IBD outcomes. An interdisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, patients, and sex and gender experts reviewed current literature on the effect of sex and gender dimensions on IBD outcomes. The team also investigated the role that stakeholders have in advancing sex-based and gender-based IBD knowledge, as comprehensive studies are scarce. Acknowledging and integrating sex and gender into the organisation and content of research (eg, study design, participant recruitment, data analysis, data interpretation, data dissemination, and impact evaluation) could enhance the validity, relevance, and applicability of research. Such gendered innovation has potential for advancing personalised medicine and improving the quality of life for people with IBD.

Sexual Health in Sexual and Gender Minority Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

In recent years, legislation targeting the sexual and gender minority (SGM) community has been passed at an increasingly alarming rate, affecting access to safe and effective gender-affirming care and forcing many SGM patients, including those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), to withhold their identities and health concerns. Additionally, SGM patients with IBD may have unique health considerations that have not yet been well-studied OBJECTIVE: This article aims to explore the intersection of IBD and sexual health in patients who identify as SGM and to identify limitations for gastroenterologists in caring for SGM patients. The article also aims to provide suggestions for improvement in SGM-competent care within gastroenterology METHODS: A thorough literature review was conducted regarding sexual health and the SGM community with IBD. This included a review of surgical considerations in SGM patients, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and prevention, and sexual dysfunction RESULTS: Overall, little is known about the impact of IBD on patients who identify as sexual and gender minorities. Surgery, medications, and STIs continue to be a concern in the SGM community with IBD and these areas represent opportunities to improve SGM-competent IBD care. Additionally, implementation of an SGM-focused curriculum is urgently needed in medical education to improve provider knowledge and care for this unique group of patients CONCLUSIONS: Patients with IBD who identify as SGM experience challenges that are not well described in prior literature. More research is needed and is actively being pursued to guide provider awareness and improve sexual health for this patient population.