N11 Adherence, self-care and illness perception in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease – a qualitative study

Abstract Background Medical treatment (MT) is key in the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD, ulcerative colitis [UC] and Crohn’s disease [CD]) non-adherence a barrier to efficacy. Approximately 30 % patients with IBD non-adherent MT. Self-care defined as; process maintaining health through health-promoting practices managing illness. Adherence an important part self-care IBD. Illness perception relates understanding potential consequences. The aim this study add deeper adherence as explore links illness self-efficacy Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face 15 (5 CD, 9 UC, 1 IBD-U, Table 1) at university IBD-clinic Sweden. Patients invited ensure richness data maximum variation duration, age, sex. Interviews recorded, transcribed verbally, analysed inductive, latent content analysis. Results Analysis resulted three main categories ten subcategories. first category, Perception, included observation that majority informants monitors bowel symptoms. However, severe was linked low daily function. Most used stress reduction diet reduce Some struggled acceptance while others seem have reached higher acceptance. Fear related expressed, e.g., colonoscopies, cancer progress disease. second Health Care showed highly desired personal connection doctor. expressed trust issues due delayed diagnosis, kindreds’ bad experiences from care or emotional trauma onset care. Unmet need information mainly concerned system, diagnosis third Treatment informants’ ambivalence towards MT, where worries harm MT central. Preferences on administration factor influenced adherence. Many perceived non-medical strategies are more equally decrease symptom burden. Conclusion findings reasons for demonstrates complex mechanisms behind phenomenon. evaluation risk benefit covers considerations not entirely medically established. This highlights importance trustful dialogue shared decision making between patient provider order increase