Association Between Web-Based Patient Portal Messaging and Disease Activity in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Retrospective Pilot Cohort Study

Source: PubMed Central Open Access, NCBI / U.S. National Library of Medicine

Abstract Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) requires ongoing monitoring and effective communication between patients and health care providers. Web-based patient portals may enhance engagement, but their association with disease activity remains unclear. Objective We aimed to evaluate the association between patient portal messaging frequency and disease activity among patients with IBD. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using electronic health record data from an urban academic center. Patients with Crohn disease, ulcerative colitis, or indeterminate colitis were included. Portal messaging frequency over 2 years (July 2023-July 2025) was analyzed. Associations with demographic variables and disease activity were assessed usingtests (<.05 was considered significant). Results Among 442 patients, 347 (78.5%) sent at least one portal message. Patients sent a mean of 5.27 (SD 7.15) messages over 2 years. High messaging frequency was associated with active disease (=.047) and age group (<.001). Patients with active disease were more likely to send ≥16 messages (n=14, 12.5% vs n=18, 6%). No significant associations were found with sex or race. Conclusions Higher portal messaging frequency was associated with active disease in IBD. Patient portals may serve as a tool for disease monitoring and early intervention.