Impact of Paediatric-Onset Inflammatory Bowel Disease on Educational Paths and Careers

Abstract Introduction Given the paucity of data, we aimed to determine the impact of paediatric-onset inflammatory bowel disease on educational paths and careers. Methods Data from the national prospective Swiss Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Cohort Study from May 2006 to October 2019 were analysed. Patients were stratified into the following groups according to their age at diagnosis: paediatric (0–17 years), early adult (age 18–30 years), and late adult (age 30–65 years). The three groups were compared regarding educational level, unemployment, absenteeism from work, and disability pension. Results Among 2,199 patients, 7.6%, 42.3%, and 50.0% belonged to the paediatric, early adult, and late adult IBD diagnosis group, respectively (55.6% with Crohn’s disease [CD] and 44.4% with ulcerative colitis [UC]). Median age at diagnosis was 16.0, 24.2, and 44.3 years old, respectively. A total of 32.8% of paediatric CD patients achieved high educational levels (32.3% early adults, 31.6% late adults, p < 0.001). A total of 46.4% of early adult UC achieve high educational levels (40.8% paediatric, 35.9% late adult, p = 0.002). No significant differences were found between the three age groups with respect to unemployment rate and invalidity rent at both enrolment and last follow-up. Absenteeism was greater in paediatric CD (27.7% vs. 17.8% vs. 16.8%, p = 0.024) and paediatric UC (24.5% vs. 18.2% vs. 14.4%, p = 0.092) at enrolment. Depression and number of hospitalizations or medical consultations are associated with lower educational levels, greater absenteeism, and invalidity rate. Conclusions Higher educational levels are attained by paediatric-onset CD and early adult UC patients, with greater absenteeism in paediatric and early adult-onset IBD.