Clinical Focus ›› 2026, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (7): 602-607.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1004-583X.2026.07.004

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Clinical factors associated with anxiety symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis

Zhang Zhishuang(), Wang Fengnan, Wei Fangyuan, Cao Zhenzhen   

  1. Department of Gastroenterology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University, Kaifeng 475000, China
  • Received:2026-05-08 Online:2026-07-20 Published:2026-07-17
  • Contact: Zhang Zhishuang,Email:13783097627@163.com

Abstract:

Objective To analyze the clinical factors associated with anxiety symptoms in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), and to provide evidence for early identification and intervention. Methods This retrospective study included 104 patients with UC admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University from November 2022 to November 2025. Based on the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), patients were divided into an anxiety group (HAMA total score ≥14, n=42) and a non-anxiety group (HAMA total score <14, n=62). Clinical information were collected for both groups, including the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) score and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) level. Multivariate logistic stepwise regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to identify factors associated with anxiety symptoms in patients with UC. Results There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in sex, disease activity, lesion extent, PSQI score, and serum BDNF level (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female sex, severe disease activity, lesion extent of E3 type, and higher PSQI score were independent risk factors for anxiety symptoms in patients with UC, whereas higher serum BDNF level was an independent protective factor (P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that both PSQI score and serum BDNF level could be used to assess anxiety symptoms in patients with UC, with area under the curve values of 0.780 and 0.929, respectively (both P<0.05). Conclusion Sex, disease activity, lesion extent, PSQI score, and serum BDNF level are associated with anxiety symptoms in patients with UC. Clinically, greater attention should be given to female patients, those with severe disease activity, extensive lesions (E3 type), PSQI score ≥8.996, and serum BDNF level ≤14.792 μg/L, and psychological intervention should be initiated when necessary.

Key words: colitis, ulcerative, anxiety, disease activity, sleep disorders

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