| Sumario: | Background: Young adults with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) recruited outside of specialty clinics may not have access to optimal care. New to the practice of independent self-management, young adults with IBD have increased risk for pain, suffering, and elevated healthcare cost. Because the complex nature of IBD care and the incredible healthcare burden on patients and the healthcare system, a national sample was sought. Objective: The purpose was to compare the results of stress, transition readiness (self-management ability), disease activity, and healthcare utilization (HCU) from a national sample (n=284; mean age 27.6) of young adults with IBD (ages 18-35-years-of-age) composed primarily of highly-educated (72.9% college degree), white (91.9%), females (84.6%) with other samples. Methodology: Online surveys launched through social media evaluated stress (Perceived Stress Scale: PSS-10), transition readiness (IBD Self-Efficacy Scale for Adolescents and Young Adults: IBDSES-A), disease activity (Manitoba IBD Index: MIBDI), and IBD-related HCU defined as IBD-related emergency department visit or inpatient hospitalization in the prior 12 months. Findings from the study sample were compared to research samples from the literature. Results: PSS-10 mean score (22.0), IBDSES-A mean score (47.2), MIBDI mean score (3.05), and a high rate of HCU (40.1%) established that the internet-based sample had poor transition readiness with increased stress, disease activity, and healthcare cost when compared with other samples. Conclusions: The significant health disparity found in the current sample may have implications for researchers seeking to understand the health needs of young adults with chronic illness. Findings from broad and inclusive internet-based samples have potential to inform health policies that impact access to care. Clinically, there is urgent need for improved access to IBD homes.
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