Barnes C¹, Ashton JJ^2,3, Borca F⁴, Cullen M¹, Walker DM⁵, Beattie RM¹. Arch Dis Child. 2020 Jan 14. pii: archdischild-2019-317765. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2019-317765. [Epub ahead of print]

Author information

1 Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Southampton Children's Hospital, Southampton, UK.

2 Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Southampton Children's Hospital, Southampton, UK j.ashton@soton.ac.uk.

3 Human Genetics and Genomic Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.

4 NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton, Southampton, UK.

5 Health Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Chronic diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can impact negatively on education and social development. Examining the impact of IBD on school/college attendance for children and young people (CYP) is vital to provide targeted support to patients, families and schools.

METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey to determine the school/college attendance rates, the reasons for absence related to IBD and facilitators or barriers to school/college attendance. In a subset of patients followed up locally, we performed a detailed review of hospital attendance data to assess healthcare burden.

RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-one questionnaires were given to CYP with IBD aged 5-17 years. Response rate was 74% (final sample 169). The median school/college attendance rate was 92.5%, significantly lower than all children in England (95.2%). 39.6% of children with IBD were persistently absent, defined nationally as missing 10% or more of school. Only five children (3%) had a 100% attendance record. Increasing age and use of monoclonal therapy were predictors of poor school attendance. Concerns about feeling unwell at school/college, access to toilets, keeping up with work and teachers' understanding of IBD are the main issues for CYP with IBD. There was a significant negative correlation between number of days in hospital and school attendance.

CONCLUSION: IBD has a significant impact on school/college attendance, with hospital attendance, disease burden and school difficulties being major factors. Employing strategies to minimise healthcare burden and developing a partnership between health and education to support children with IBD will serve to facilitate school/college attendance.