There is little patient-centered research aimed at assessing patients' perceived impact of smoking or nicotine use on their Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Therefore, EFCCA is supporting a survey on the perceived effect of smoking/nicotine use on the symptoms and progression of Crohn's disease and Ulcerative Colitis in patients who are current adult smokers and/or nicotine-containing product users.
Cigarette smoke contains many compounds that increase the risk of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases as well as cancer. Several of the adverse health effects of smoking are reversible upon quitting. With regards to IBD, several epidemiological studies have shown that smoking in CD patients is associated with more severe disease, increased need for anti-inflammatory medication, and early post-operative recurrence, while active smoking is inversely correlated with the risk of developing UC and the disease progression. The goal of this study is to investigate patients' perceived impact that smoking and/or nicotine use has on their IBD symptoms and progression.
The survey was offered in multiple languages and has been closed in February 2020. We are now analyzing the data and would already like to thank those people who have participated.
Date of issue: 2019-11-04