Abstract

Introduction: Psychological factors play a double role in the incidence of ulcerative colitis disease;on the one hand, mental disorders are among the causes of the disease and on the other hand, some studies have shown that psychological factors and stresses play an important role in its intensification. The present study was conducted to determine the mental health status of patients with ulcerative colitis, referred to teaching hospitals in the city of Ahvaz and its relationship with demographic variables. Methodology: In this epidemiological and analytical study, patients with ulcerative colitis, referred to teaching hospitals of Ahvaz were evaluated in terms of mental health using demographic questionnaire and SCL-90R questionnaire and obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22. Results: Results of this study showed that 36.2% of patients with ulcerative colitis have suffered from mental health problems. Evaluation of nine dimensions of questionnaire showed that 14 patients have had somatic complaints, 3 patients have suffered from obsession and compulsion,1 patient has suffered from interpersonal sensitivity, 45 patients have suffered from depression, 68 patients have suffered from anxiety,31 patients have s uffered from aggression, 15 patients have suffered from phobia, 18 patients have suffered from paranoid thoughts and no one has suffered from psychosis. Conclusion: Patients with ulcerative colitis develop mental disorders and a decline in their mental health indicators is observed and this decline is not limited to a particular age or gender group or to a certain scientific or occupational class and it prevails in all classes and groups with ulcerative colitis.

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