Understanding the relationship between depression and disease activity in Ulcerative Colitis

What this research looked at

Many people with Ulcerative Colitis suffer from depression. This can often contribute to making their Colitis worse, or having more frequent relapses. The researchers wanted to understand the factors that affect whether a person with Colitis will develop depression. They also wanted to know if having depression affects disease activity.

Recent research among people without Colitis has shown that levels of inflammatory activity may influence who gets depression. The researchers examined the role of inflammation in 250 patients with Colitis from the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. They assessed how they process certain emotions, such as how they see emotions in others, and how they respond to rewarding or threatening situations. These factors have been shown to determine the effects of inflammation on depression among people without Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). The researchers also collected blood and poo samples to assess the person's level of inflammation. 

What the researchers found

The findings of this study suggest that:

• People with widespread Colitis are more likely to develop depression.
• People with depression report having worse effects of their Colitis than those without depression.
• People with anxiety are more likely to have a relapse of their Colitis.

So, understanding what predicts whether people are likely to get depression or not could help clinicians to identify people who may be worse affected by Colitis. These results also show how important it is to monitor people with Colitis for signs and symptoms of depression or anxiety.

What the researchers think this could mean for people with Ulcerative Colitis  

By clarifying the relationship between Colitis, depression and quality of life, the researchers hope that these results will allow clinicians to personalise patient care to provide the support people need, and target treatments more accurately.

Who lead this research: Prof Chris Dickens, University of Exeter 
Our Funding: £119,721 
Duration: 27 months 
Official title of the application: Prospective cohort study to identify causes of depression and how depression leads to relapse in people with 
Ulcerative Colitis. 
Tags: Depression; Ulcerative Colitis