A Dedicated Pregnancy Clinic Improves Reproductive Knowledge in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Factors affecting pregnancy-related knowledge in women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remain unknown. We aimed to determine these factors and to assess the impact of a dedicated pregnancy clinic on improving knowledge in women with IBD.

Adult women with IBD attending the pregnancy IBD clinic at the University of Alberta from 2014 to 2018 were enrolled. Each patient completed the Crohn’s and Colitis Pregnancy Knowledge (CCPKnow) questionnaire at baseline and after individualized education delivered at each clinic visit. Knowledge levels were defined as very good if CCPKnow scores ≥ 14. Mean CCPKnow scores were reported with standard deviations (SD) and compared using the paired T test.

The mean CCPKnow score in 117 patients at baseline was 9.65 (SD 4.18). Compared to those with disease duration < 5 years, those with disease duration > 5 years had higher rates of very good baseline knowledge (3.0% vs. 26.4%, p = 0.036). Similarly, those on preconception IBD-related therapy were more likely to have very good knowledge compared to those on no therapy (22.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.024). Fifty-one patients completed a post-clinic CCPKnow survey with a mean CCPKnow of 10.72 (SD 4.32). Participation in a pregnancy clinic improved reproductive knowledge in those with ulcerative colitis (p = 0.001), disease duration > 5 years (p = 0.017), those with at least a university education (p = 0.014) and those on IBD-related therapies (p = 0.026).

Increased disease duration and preconception IBD-related therapy may be associated with increased pregnancy-related knowledge. A dedicated pregnancy clinic can improve reproductive knowledge in women with IBD.