Excerpted from www.portalesmedicos.com
Work and enjoy leisure activities, something very difficult for many of those affected by ulcerative colitis disease and Crohn's .
The European Federation of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis - EFCCA - has made the first pan-European survey of patients to study the perceptions of those affected by these diseases on their quality of life and the effectiveness of the treatments they receive.
This was last year with the participation of associations of patients from seven European countries, almost 6,000 patients, of which 1,036 are Spanish, belonging to the Association of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's Disease - ACCU -. The data from this survey are presented in the congress of the Group of Work for the Study of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (GETECCU).
Alteration of life
EFCCA The survey helped us to know how the person lives his illness and major social and health problems found with Fina says Lladós, president of ACCU. Precisely one of the main conclusions of this study shows that, although most patients are satisfied with their treatments, symptoms persist and affect their daily lives, so much so that 77% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 81% of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) assure that greatly affect their ability to work. In fact 45% of those affected by CHD and 37% of those with UC have been forced to change jobs or reduce their responsibilities. In this respect Lladós Fina says the main problem is that our diseases are diagnosed at an age where people begin to forge a future and that cause continuous low impact on the studies, forcing even repeat a year, and the workplace involves even the non-renewal of contracts and unfair dismissal after long periods of low.
A disease which costs about
More than 54,000 patients suffering from ulcerative colitis in Spain, 40,000 Crohn's disease, and 6,000 indeterminate colitis, diseases belonging to the group of Inflammatory Bowel Disease ( IBD ). Although chronic diseases are not fatal, but whose symptoms are unpleasant and are a taboo subject among the general population. As shown by the survey, 66% of patients with UC and 51% with CD took over a year to visit the specialist. Speaking of feces and the number of depositions is something that human beings have always been ascribed to privacy. Many patients hide for a long time for such diseases is socially not check, said Dr. Joaquín Hinojosa Gastroenterology Unit of Internal Medicine at the Hospital de Sagunto (Valencia) and vice president of GETECCU.
Another proposal raised by the survey in order to improve this situation is to increase doctor-patient communication. Only 58% of patients with ulcerative colitis and 60% of patients with Crohn's disease dare to talk about the impact of the disease on their quality of life with your doctor. It's something we need to improve the patient information and we will sue the demos.
The most common symptoms in such diseases are rectal bleeding, diarrhea and joint pain. The causes of the disease are unknown, although at present we suggest that the interaction of environmental factors, some well-defined as snuff , disruption of normal bacterial flora of the intestine, and individual genetic predisposition, says Dr. Antoni Obrador head of department of Gastroenterology, Hospital Universitario Son Dureta (Palma de Mallorca).
Satisfaction with treatment despite continuing symptoms
Spanish patients who responded to the survey received a wide range of treatments from steroids and aminosalicylates, immunomodulators and to biological therapy. 76% of patients with UC and 78% of those who suffered EC were satisfied with their treatment, although most continued to have symptoms, symptoms that up to 77% in the case of UC and 82% in CD affected their ability to enjoy leisure activities. When asked how they had improved their quality of life with the treatment they were receiving at the time, which showed greater improvement were those who were receiving both conventional immunomodulators which were receiving biologic therapy, since 79% of them stated that quality of life had improved.
Another notable results of the survey shows that most patients prefer to try new therapies as an alternative to surgery, since in many cases undergo surgery does not guarantee the disappearance of symptoms. Surgery is very aggressive intervention that doctors only arise with treatment failure or the presence of disease-related complications, but is not synonymous with cure, except in cases of ulcerative colitis, and only as a last option is chosen.
Biological therapy and can be received soon
Biological therapies are the latest addition to the armamentarium against ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, as evidenced by the survey EFCCA have allowed many patients to greatly improve their quality of life. Infliximab, sold under the name of REMICADE ® by Schering-Plough, is the only biologic currently has indication to treat UC and CD and severe. In fact, the results of recent studies have allowed this month, the EMEA (European Medicines Agency) has approved the passage of REMICADE for Crohn's Disease from third to second line, which means that when patients adequately respond to steroids or immunosuppressants (or they are intolerant of these drugs) may benefit from biologic therapy early without having to use another family of drugs before.
Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits TNF-alpha, tumor necrosis factor, one of the most important participants of the inflammatory process. By acting selectively minimizing the side effects of the drug on the immune system of patients achieving disease remission effectively and safely. It is given intravenously every two months, in a day hospital, resulting in greater control of the disease by physicians and other health professionals.
ACCU
The Association of Crohn's and Ulcerative Colitis has 9,000 partners that pursue, main objective 'to contribute to the moral and physical health of all people affected by Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis) as well as the encouraging the study of its cause and treatment. ' The association believes that 'the best help for the individual comes from other patients'. That is why they are supporting, based on self-help and campaigning that seek awareness of the media and society. Little by little our disease is better known among the general population but still a long way to go 'says Lladós Fine, president of the association.
For more information: www.accuesp.com
GETECCU
These short for the Spanish Working Group for the Study of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. It is formed primarily by gastroenterologists, but also with colleagues in other specialties. Its mission is to understand and investigate different aspects of inflammatory bowel disease. And do so on three objectives: training of medical professionals, research and patient education. 'We need to encourage professional research and specialized in this type of disease and promote a greater awareness of bowel disease in society,' says Dr. Obrador, president of GETECCU.
For more information: www.geteccu.org
Remicade (Infliximab)
Infliximab, with the trade name REMICADE ®, have received earlier this year, the indication to treat ulcerative colitis and has been used worldwide for 10 years for the treatment of other chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis , ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis and Crohn's disease, all diseases in behind them in the mediation of pro-inflammatory agent TNF alpha acting on infliximab by blocking its activity. During all these years has been treated with REMICADE ® efficacy and safety to more than 770,000 people worldwide.
Schering - Plough
Schering-Plough is a pharmaceutical company, international, present in 125 countries and has manufacturing plants and research in 50 of them. The Research Institute Schering-Plough stands by a potential researcher who has allowed the development of useful therapeutic drugs. In addition, Schering-Plough focuses on research, development, manufacture and commercialization of innovative treatments for therapeutic areas as diverse as chronic inflammatory diseases, hepatitis C, allergies, cardiovascular disease and oncology.
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