March 15, 2026Journal of Crohn s and Colitis1 citationsOpen Access

Anxiety and depression in newly diagnosed patients with inflammatory bowel disease (the IBSEN III study) compared with the general population in Norway

IJIngunn JohansenUniversity of Oslo MHMonica HagenOslo University Hospital SLStine Torp LøkkebergSocial Welfare Department

Key Points

The study aims to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression in newly diagnosed patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) compared to the general population.
Prospective cohort study of newly diagnosed IBD patients.
Data compared with the HUNT4 survey of the Norwegian general population.
Anxiety and depression assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.
Statistical analyses included t-tests, chi-square tests, and regression modeling.
62.1% of patients completed the assessment: 37.4% anxiety in Crohn's disease and 32.1% in ulcerative colitis.
Depression rates were 21.9% in Crohn's disease and 16.8% in ulcerative colitis, significantly higher than the general population rates of 17.5% for anxiety and 9.4% for depression.
Significant associations found with fatigue and general self-efficacy in relation to anxiety and depression.

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Symptoms of anxiety and depression are common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD); the aim of this study was to assess the proportion of anxiety and depression in patients newly diagnosed with IBD, compare the rates with the Norwegian general population (NGP), and examine associations with selected sociodemographic, psychological, and disease-related factors. Methods This prospective cohort study included newly diagnosed patients with IBD, and data from the HUNT4 survey of the NGP. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Crude statistical comparisons were performed using t-tests, Mann–Whitney U test, chi-square tests, or Fisher’s exact tests. Adjusted associations were modeled using multiple robust linear regression and multiple logistic regression. Results In total, 938/1562 (62.1%) patients with IBD completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (Crohn’s disease CD: n = 297, ulcerative colitis UC: n = 641). The proportion of anxiety was 37.4% in CD and 32.1% in UC, while depression was reported by 21.9% and 16.8%, respectively. Both rates were significantly higher than those observed in the NGP (17.5% for anxiety and 9.4% for depression). Compared with the NGP, males with CD had significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression, males with UC had elevated anxiety only, while females with CD and UC showed increased anxiety and depression. Both substantial fatigue and general self-efficacy were significantly associated with anxiety and depression in IBD. Conclusions Newly diagnosed patients with IBD experienced significant psychological challenges compared with the NGP. Early identification of anxiety and depression may enable targeted interventions.

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