Reasons for (Not) Seeking Care for Fatigue and Care Needs Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Qualitative Interview Study.

This qualitative study interviewed 16 patients, so it cannot show whether fatigue care works or how common these views are. Only patients in remission with severe fatigue were included, so it may not apply to patients during flares or with milder fatigue. More female than male patients were interviewed, and the authors said male perspectives may be underrepresented. All patients had at least six years since diagnosis, so newly diagnosed patients may have different needs. The study was done at one academic hospital in the Netherlands, with online interviews during the pandemic, so transferability may be limited. Analysis was not performed alongside data collection, so the interview guide was not adapted to emerging topics such as social support. Patients reported perceptions and needs, not observed care-seeking behaviour or treatment outcomes.

G.D. received a research grant from Royal DSM and an advisory board fee from Pharmacosmos outside this work; the other authors declared no conflicts. Funding came from University Medical Centre Groningen and Horizon Europe MiGut-Health.

Do not read these patient preferences as proof that physiotherapy, psychological support or nurse-led fatigue conversations reduce fatigue. This was a qualitative interview study of 16 patients in remission, so it describes perceptions and care needs, not treatment effects.