Objectives/Background: Pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (PIBD) poses
significant challenges not only to patients but also to their families, particularly
affecting the work productivity of caregivers. This Spanish multicenter study
aims to elucidate the extent of this impact.
Materials and Methods: A cross‐sectional, multicenter study was conducted
between February 2021 and June 2023, involving parents or caregivers of
PIBD patients aged 10–18 years. The study utilized the Work Productivity and
Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaires alongside assessing disease
activity and socioeconomic status to quantify work productivity loss and its
economic implications.
Results: The study included 370 patients from 37 centers, highlighting a
significant loss of work productivity among caregivers, especially mothers. The
global unemployment rate was notably higher in this group compared to
national averages (22.9% vs. 13.8%), particularly among females (30.7% vs.
13.7%), with absenteeism and presenteeism rates (26.4% and 39.9%)
significantly impacting the caregivers’ ability to work. The study also identified
active disease and treatment with biologics or steroids as risk factors for
increased work productivity loss.
Conclusions: Caregivers of children with inflammatory bowel disease face
considerable challenges in maintaining employment, with a notable economic
impact due to lost work hours. The findings underscore the need for targeted
support and interventions to assist these families, suggesting potential areas
for policy improvement and support mechanisms to mitigate the socioeconomic
burden of PIBD on affected families.
