COMORBIDITY OF POSTTRAUMATIC-STRESS-DISORDER AND IRRITABLE-BOWEL-SYNDROME

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disorder that has been found to be associated with psychiatric disorders and a histo ry of physical and/or sexual abuse. To date, the relationship of postt raumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and IBS has not been investigated. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of IBS and PTSD. Method: Fifty consecutive IBS patients admitted to a clinica l treatment study were assessed for IBS, trauma history, and psychiatr ic disorders. Results: Twenty-seven IBS patients (54%) met criteria fo r a psychiatric diagnosis at some time in their lives. Twenty-two pati ents (44%) reported a trauma history. Eighteen (36%) were diagnosed wi th PTSD. Those IBS patients with a trauma history were more likely to have other comorbid psychiatric diagnoses. Conclusion: These results s uggest that IBS is often associated with psychiatric disorders, indica ting that assessment and treatment of these comorbid conditions may be important in the treatment of IBS. PTSD, which had not been previousl y investigated in relation to IBS, had-a high prevalence, indicating t he need for careful trauma and PTSD assessment in patients with IBS. P atients with IBS who have a trauma history may be more at risk for oth er comorbid psychiatric disorders than IBS patients without a trauma h istory.