Background: Fatigue is a frequently reported symptom of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), having a negative impact on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Patients' experiences of this have not been researched in IBD.
Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adults with Crohn's Disease from out-patient clinics in the United Kingdom. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analysed using thematic analysis.
Results: Fourteen participant interviews were conducted. Three key themes were identified: 1) 'The new normal' established through adaptation and acceptance; 2) 'Energy as a resource' describing attempts to better manage fatigue through planning and prioritising tasks; 3) 'Keeping healthy' encompasses participants' beliefs that 'good health' allows better management of fatigue.
Conclusion: Participants establish a 'new' normality, through maintaining the same or similar level of employment/education activities. However, this is often at the expense of social activities. Further research is required to explore patient led self-management interventions in IBD fatigue.
Keywords: Crohn’s disease; fatigue; health related quality of life; inflammatory bowel disease; interview.
© The Author(s) 2022.