Hypothesis:

Mesalamine is commonly used to induce and maintain remission in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Behavioral and psycho-social barriers to mesalamine adherence exist in patients with IBD. These factors can be identified using qualitative testing in order to develop a validated instrument to measure the "adherence profile" of an individual patient, and design appropriate behavioral interventions to reduce non-adherence.

Objectives:

To test a novel interview instrument that determines the medication adherence profile of patients with IBD prescribed mesalamine by correlating with objective measures of adherence

Specific Aims:

1. To test a novel interview instrument to classify patients into "adherence profiles"
2. To validate this instrument with quantitative scores of mesalamine adherence and objective testing.

Study Design Rationale:

Qualitative research design and prospective validation

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult patient (age >18)
• Diagnosis of IBD (confirmed by endoscopy and histology) > 3 months
• In clinical remission (based on Simple Colitis Activity Index score <2.5)
• On mesalamine compound for maintenance of remission
• Stable mesalamine dose for 1 month

Exclusion Criteria:

• Not receiving primary GI care at BIDMC

Patients taking mesalamine for maintenance of remission of ulcerative colitis