Latinos in the RGV Living with Ulcerative Colitis: Occupational Changes

Ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, can be debilitating and sometimes lead to life-threatening complications. UC is characterized by inflammation of the colon and symptoms of rectal bleeding, pain in the abdomen, and urgency to defecate. Living with UC means changes in diet, lifestyle and also relationships. It requires a balance between the condition and daily routine. In 2015, over 3.1 million individuals were diagnosed with this autoimmune irritable bowel disease.

According to the literature, UC may limit the person’s ability to study and work. This illness should be considered when choosing a career: heavy physical work and irregular shift work may cause problems. One study, found that although the impact of IBD on relationships, school and employment, recreational activities, sexuality, psychosomatic symptomatology, body image and worry was minimal, the patients’ satisfaction with life was impaired as a result of having IBD. Things like diet and emotional wellbeing can have a positive and negative impact on the condition. Living with a chronic condition can sometimes feel overwhelming. Depression and emotional distress is often a reaction to the symptoms of this disease.

This phenomenological study explored the impact of living with UC on the lives of Latinos in the Rio Grande Valley. Using the PEOP theoretical constructs to focus on internal and external factors influencing the experience of living with UC and affecting occupational performance, in- depth interviews were conducted with 6 individuals. Several themes emerged: emotional effects, mental presence of the disease, concerns for the future, and effects on occupational performance. The findings showed the effects of UC on their occupational performances in different environments. Because of their symptoms, the participants described the ever-present mental existence of the disease and expressed various concerns for their future. The emotional effects obstructed their mental states and social participations. While UC is generally treated with medicinal care and has been dependent on scientific advances, its influences on occupational participation exemplify the need for occupational therapy. Creativity is needed to explore the potential benefits and service of occupational therapy for this population. This presentation will show the barricade between persons and participation in previously valued activities as well as how OT can interact with the science of the diagnosis to create a new or a revised future for this population.

References

Alexakis, C., Kumar, S., Saxena, S., & Pollok, R. (2017). Systematic review with meta-analysis: The impact of a depressive state on disease course in adult Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 225-235. https://doi-org.ezhost.utrgv.edu/10.1111/apt.14171

Calvet, X., Arguelles-Arias, F., Lopez-Sanroman, A., Cea-Calvo, L., Julia, B., Romero de Santos, C., & Carpio, D. (2018). Patients’ perceptions of the impact of Ulcerative Colitis on social and professional life: Results from the UC-LIFE survey of outpatient clinics in Spain. Patient Preference and Adherence, 1815-1823. https://doi-org.ezhost.utrgv.edu/10.2147/PPA.S175026

Fourie, S., Jackson, D., & Aveyard, H. (2018). Living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A review of qualitative research studies. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 149-156. https://doi-org.ezhost.utrgv.edu/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.07.017