Measurability of overall health in patients with chronic gastrointestinal disorders

Abstract Background Chronic gastrointestinal and hepato-pancreatico-biliary (GI-HPB) patients experience problems in all life areas. The Positive health (PH) concept, based on six different dimensions of health, may hold the answers for a broader understanding of the patients’ well-being. Aim To measure the overall health status of GI-HPB patients, according to the PH concept. Methods In 2019-2021, patients with GI-HPB attending the outpatient clinic of the Maastricht University Medical Center filled in questionnaires before consultation. The six dimensions of PH (bodily functions, mental well-being, meaningfulness, quality of life, participation, daily functioning) were measured by validated questionnaires (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Short Form-36, Disease Experience Questionnaire, EuroQol-5D-5L). Results were compared to control groups and assessed with McDonald’s Omega, Zero-order Pearson correlations, and t-tests. Results The 235 participating patients scored lower on quality of life, participation, and daily functioning than healthy controls (p ≤ 0.001) but similar to those with other chronic conditions. Malnutrition (moderate-severe 45.6%) and depressive/anxious symptoms (35%/21.6%) were higher in the GI-HPB group compared to those with other chronic conditions. Conclusions Validated questionnaires addressing the six dimensions of PH showed a significant worse health status compared to controls, and malnutrition and depressive symptoms were higher compared to other patient groups. Key messages • GI-HPB patients have a lower quality of life, participate less, and have less daily functioning than healthy controls and higher malnutrition and depression than those with other chronic diseases. • By using validated questionnaires, an impression of the overall health status of patients can be obtained through the concept of Positive Health.