SYMPTOM DURATION IN PATIENTS WITH IRRITABLE-BOWEL-SYNDROME

Objectives: The etiology and natural history of irritable bowel syndro me (IBS) is poorly understood. We compared rectal sensory thresholds a nd compliance, SCL-90 scores, and follow-up questionnaires among norma l controls, patients with longstanding (>5 y) disease (L-IBS), and pat ients with recent onset (<2 y) disease (R-IBS). The onset of symptoms in R-IBS was related to specific events such as infection (n = 10), su rgery (n = 5), and stress (n = 4), but no specific event could be iden tified in six patients. Methods: A diagnosis of IBS was made using Man ning criteria (greater than or equal to 3) and clinical grounds. Psych ological data were obtained by psychometrics (SCL-90) scores. Rectal w all compliance and thresholds for the sensation of stool and discomfor t were evaluated using the electronic barostat. Results: The mean thre sholds for phasic and ramp distention were similar for R-IBS and L-IBS groups for the perception of stool and discomfort. When compared with normals, the mean stool thresholds for phasic distention were signifi cantly lower for L-IBS and R-IBS groups. SCL-90 scores were significan tly increased in L-IBS in the mean phobia score (45 R-IBS vs 61 L-IBS) , anxiety score (49 R-IBS vs 63 L-IBS), paranoia score (44 R-IBS vs 60 L-IBS), and hostility score (47 R-IBS vs 61 L-IBS) (all p < 0.05). On follow-up questionnaire, 60% of R-IBS versus 46% of L-IBS patients in dicated that their symptoms had improved (p < 0.05). R-IBS patients al so experienced fewer episodes of abdominal pain per week at follow-up than L-IBS patients (3.9 +/- 1.0 vs 8.5 +/- 1.7, respectively) (p < 0. 05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that IBS patients with short sy mptom duration and fewer psychological symptoms have a better prognosi s than patients with a long history of IBS and associated psychologica l distress, although long term prospective studies are needed.