In 2003, CCFA conducted an Internet-based survey which was completed by more than 4000 members. The study revealed a number of interesting facts about persons newly diagnosed with IBD, including their experiences in being diagnosed, anxieties about their diseases, attitudes about treatment, and other aspects of living with IBD. These interesting facts have also been expressed in a 2012 study based on the Internet cohort of 7141 adults with IBD utilizing the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) Partners program . The study found, compared to the general population, IBD patients in this cohort reported more anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbance and less social satisfaction [3]. These concerns have remained constant over the past 8 years as shared by over 100,000 patients who have contacted CCFA ’s Irwin M. and Suzanne R. Rosenthal IBD Resource Center (IBD Help Center) by phone, e-mail, or live chat. The IBD Help Center is a free service for all members of the IBD community. Each year, the IBD Help Center is equipped to answer questions in 170 different languages and responds to nearly 13,000 requests from patients, their families, health care professionals, and the general public. A few of the common trends are discussed below.

The average patient is fairly knowledgeable about their disease because the unpredictability and severity of IBD drives them to educate themselves about their disease. This is particularly true of parents whose young child has just been diagnosed. However, they tend to not be as knowledgeable about treatments or side effects.