Non-inflammatory joint pain in patients with inflammatory bowel disease is prevalent and has a significant impact on health related quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence and characteristics of non-inflammatory joint pain (NIJP) in patients with chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its impact on patients' health related quality of life (HRQOL).

METHODS: In a population based cohort, 521 patients (80%) were clinically investigated 6 years after onset of IBD. NIJP was defined as a history of joint pain during the last 3 months prior to examination and the absence of concomitant signs or symptoms of inflammatory or degenerative joint disease or chronic pain syndromes. HRQOL was registered by the generic Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) and by the disease specific IBDQ.

RESULTS: NIJP was reported by 85 (16%) patients and significantly more often in conjunction with Crohn's disease (CD, 22%) compared to ulcerative colitis (UC, 14%). The prevalence of NIJP was similar in men and women. No correlation with extension of intestinal disease, use of systemic medication, or frequency of surgery was found. NIJP exerted significant impact on HRQOL measured by SF-36 and IBDQ.

CONCLUSIONS: NIJP occurs frequently in IBD and more often in CD than in UC. NIJP significantly alters HRQOL and should be taken into account in trials estimating outcome in IBD and in clinical practice by attending clinicians.