Psychological distress in inflammatory bowel disease

IntroductionMental health disorders are common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and affect patients' quality of life, impacting on disease outcomes and health care-related costs.Areas coveredEven if psychological issues in IBD patients are highly burdened in terms of quality of life, psychiatric comorbidities still receive less attention into routine care than the physical symptoms of the disease. The present review provides an overview of recent literature, focusing on the association between perceived stress and IBD outcomes. For this purpose, the epidemiology of more common psychological comorbidities in IBD and their potential effect on the onset and disease course have been examined. Moreover, therapeutic interventions in the management of these patients have also been evaluated.Expert opinionScreening of patients at high risk of psychological issues is currently an unmet, clinical need in the management of IBD. Under-diagnosed and under-treated mental health disorders in IBD patients may impact outcomes, leading to increased disability and health-care utilization and associated costs. A patient-tailored, integrated model of care in the management of IBD is required to optimize disease outcomes and improve patients' quality of life.