Systematic Literature Review: Ability of the IBDQ-32 to Detect Meaningful Change in Ulcerative Colitis Health Indicators

Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2024 Nov 4;30(11):2115-2126. doi: 10.1093/ibd/izad282.

Abstract

Purpose: Previous reviews produced weak evidence regarding the responsiveness of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ-32) to changes in ulcerative colitis (UC) health indicators. This systematic review and meta-analysis provide an updated synthesis on IBDQ-32 responsiveness.

Methods: A systematic literature review identified 11 articles reporting IBDQ-32 responder analyses in randomized control trials, which were included in a random effects meta-analysis, and 15 articles linking IBDQ-32 change to change in UC health indicators, which were summarized narratively. Meta-analysis compared differences between IBDQ-32 responder proportions in efficacious and nonefficacious treatment arms relative to placebo. Linear meta-regression examined the association of treatment efficacy and proportions of IBDQ-32 responders in active treatment compared with placebo.

Results: Meta-analysis showed larger differences in IBDQ-32 response proportions between active treatment and placebo for efficacious treatments (pooled OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.83-2.63) than nonefficacious treatments (pooled OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.84-1.74; Cochran's Q[df = 1] = 8.26, P = .004). Meta-regression showed that the magnitude of treatment efficacy positively predicted IBDQ-32 response in active treatments relative to placebo (β = 0.21, P < .001). Moderate to strong correlations were found between change in IBDQ-32 and change in health indicators (eg, patient-reported measures, disease activity, endoscopic indices; correlations, 0.37-0.64 in absolute values). Patients achieving clinical response or remission showed greater change in IBDQ-32 total scores (range, 22.3-50.1 points) and more frequently met clinically meaningful thresholds on the IBDQ-32 than those not achieving clinical response or remission (all P < .05).

Conclusions: The IBDQ-32 is responsive to changes in UC health indicators and disease activity, including in response to efficacious treatment (relative to placebo).

Keywords: IBDQ; responsiveness; ulcerative colitis.

Plain language summary

This article presents a review of evidence on the responsiveness of the 32-item Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire, a widely used patient-report measure of health-related quality of life. W found a generally good ability of the instrument to detect changes in ulcerative colitis health that are meaningful to patients and clinicians.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review
  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Colitis, Ulcerative* / diagnosis
  • Colitis, Ulcerative* / drug therapy
  • Health Status Indicators
  • Humans
  • Quality of Life
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

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