Stress and Crohn s disease: Differences among outbrake and quiescence patients and healthy persons

Research has shown the relationship between stress and many diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate its effect on Crohn s disease. Using the Perceived Stress Scale we compared the stress levels of three different groups: 37 patients in the outbreak phase, 27 in quiescence, and 40 healthy controls. Results show that Crohn s sufferers in outbreak phase have higher stress levels than both quiescence patients and healthy persons. However, no significant differences were observed between those in quiescence and healthy persons. The paper concludes by suggesting plausible explanations for these results, particularly that stress may be better understood as a consequence rather than a cause/precursor of Crohn s disease.