Subjective expectations regarding longevity and future health: a cross‐sectional survey among patients with Crohn's disease

Aim The aim was to explore the subjective health expectations (sHE) of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) for both the near future and the elderly. Method A cross‐sectional survey was performed in four gastroenterology centres in Hungary. Consecutive outpatients with CD with age ≥ 18 were recruited. Socio‐demographic and disease characteristics were recorded and the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI), Perianal Disease Activity Index, Patients' Global Assessment (PGA) and current pain visual analogue scale (VAS) were assessed. Subjective life expectancy (sLE) was explored and compared to statistical life expectancy. Current health and sHE for 1 year ahead and for ages 60/70/80/90 were assessed using the descriptive system of the EQ‐5D‐3L. Results In all, 206 patients (54.9% men) with a mean age of 34.7 (SD 10.5 years) and disease duration of 10.5 (SD 6.3) years were studied. The CDAI score was 110.5 (SD 77.0) and 66% were treated by biologic drugs. Mean current EQ‐5D‐3L score was 0.80 (SD 0.17) and patients expected a 0.05 (SD 0.15) improvement within a year (P