PROLONGED surgical waiting time was associated with impaired health related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), particularly among those waiting more than 1 year for an operation. The findings highlighted the potential importance of incorporating patient reported outcomes into decisions about surgical prioritisation.
Researchers conducted a cross sectional, register based study at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden, examining the relationship between waiting time for IBD surgery and patient wellbeing. The study included 214 patients who had undergone surgery or were awaiting an operation between 2017 and 2023. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire.
Of the 214 participants, 33.6% were women, and the mean age was 44.3 ± 16.9 years. Sixty percent had already undergone surgery, while the remaining participants were still awaiting their procedures.
The mean EQ visual analogue scale (EQ VAS) score across the study population was 64.9. However, the lowest scores were recorded among patients waiting for surgery for more than 1 year. This was notably lower than the mean score of 87.0 reported for age matched Swedish population norms, indicating a considerable difference in reported health status.
Further analysis using the Swedish EQ-5D-5L value set identified significant differences in HRQoL between patients with shorter and longer surgical waiting times.
Patients waiting less than 3 months reported higher mean EQ-5D-5L index scores than those waiting 12–24 months (p=0.017) or more than 24 months (p=0.012). Similarly, patients waiting 3–6 months had higher scores than those waiting 12–24 months (p=0.036) or more than 24 months (p=0.032).
These findings indicated an association between prolonged surgical waiting time and poorer HRQoL, with the most pronounced differences observed among patients experiencing the longest delays.
The researchers concluded that prolonged waiting times for IBD surgery were associated with impaired HRQoL, particularly among patients waiting longer than 1 year. The findings highlighted the potential value of considering patient reported wellbeing when determining surgical priorities.
However, the cross-sectional design meant that causal relationships could not be established. The researchers therefore emphasised the importance of interpreting the findings within this limitation.
Overall, the study supported incorporating HRQoL assessments into the prioritisation of patients awaiting IBD surgery, potentially helping healthcare professionals better recognise the impact of prolonged surgical delays on patients’ wellbeing.
Reference
de la Croix H et al. Waiting time for surgery and health-related quality of life in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2026;41(1):170.
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