THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND GASTROINTESTINAL SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN WITH IRRITABLE-BOWEL-SYNDROME

Background: Individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are report ed to experience more symptoms compatible with psychopathologic disord ers, abnormal personality traits, and psychological distress. Converse ly, individuals with psychiatric disorders report higher levels of gas trointestinal (GI) symptoms compatible with IBS. Thus, psychological d istress may contribute to GI symptoms in individuals with IBS. Objecti ves: To examine psychological distress in women with IBS, women with s imilar GI symptoms but not diagnosed (IBS nonpatients, IBS-NP), and as ymptomatic Control women. Methods: The women (N = 97) were interviewed , completed questionnaires, and maintained daily diaries for 2 months. Across-women and within-woman analyses were used to calculate the res ults. Results: The IBS and IBS-NP groups had a higher percentage of li fetime psychopathology and recalled psychological distress. At least 4 0% of the women in the IBS and IBS-NP groups had positive relationship s between daily psychological distress and daily GI symptoms. Conclusi ons: Psychological distress is an important component of the IBS sympt om experience and should be considered when treatment strategies are d esigned.