PD509 - UNDERSTANDING THE TRIPARTITE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIETARY PRACTICES, PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING, AND DISEASE EXPERIENCE IN GREEK PATIENTS WITH IBD: A MIXED METHODS EXPLORATION

PD509

UNDERSTANDING THE TRIPARTITE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DIETARY PRACTICES, PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING, AND DISEASE EXPERIENCE IN GREEK PATIENTS WITH IBD: A MIXED METHODS EXPLORATION

D. E. Strongylou¹, V. Svolos^1,*, A. Vlachou¹, A. Triantafyllou¹, E. Zoupa¹, V. R. Vakouftsi², A. Ntanou², K. Argyriou³, A. Kapsoritakis³, A. Kapsoritakis³, F. Bonoti¹, O. Androutsos¹

¹Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Physical Education, Sport Science and Dietetics, University of Thessaly , Trikala, ²HELLESCC, Hellenic Society of Crohn’s disease’s and Ulcerative Colitis’ patients, Athens, ³Department of Gastroenterology- University Hospital of Larissa, University of Thessaly , Larisa, Greece

Rationale: Diet and mental health are key modifiable factors influencing Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). This study explored mental health and eating patterns among individuals with IBD and examined their interrelationships.

Methods: A mixed-methods design was applied. A total of 283 individuals with IBD (n=110 Ulcerative colitis, n=173 Crohn’s disease) participated in an online questionnaire assessing anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale - GAD-7), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire - PHQ-9) and eating attitudes (Eating Attitudes Test - EAT-26) in individuals living with IBD in Greece. At the same time, 14 semi-structured interviews were conducted as part of the qualitative component of the study to explore lived experiences of diet, mental health and IBD. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlations, while qualitative data were analysed thematically.

Results: The findings from the quantitative study indicated high levels of anxiety, depression and disordered eating attitudes in a substantial proportion of IBD participants. Thematic analysis revealed three overarching themes, namely a) ‘life in two phases: IBD impact on health’, b) ‘mental health and diet interplay- their perceived impact on IBD’ and c) ‘coping strategies for managing IBD’. 

Conclusion: Our findings highlight the dynamic interplay among diet, mental health, and IBD experience. These results support the need for holistic, biopsychosocial interventions integrating medical, dietary and psychological components in IBD management.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared