PERSISTING IMPROVEMENT IN COMPLAINT-RELATED COGNITIONS INITIATED DURING MEDICAL CONSULTATIONS IN FUNCTIONAL ABDOMINAL COMPLAINTS

Background. Previously it was shown that during a series of out-patien t consultations dysfunctional complaint-related cognitions and anxiety diminished significantly in patients with functional abdominal compla ints (IBS). The aim of the present study was to assess the maintenance of positive changes initiated during medical consultations in the pat ients' complaint-related cognitions and anxiety, as well as the influe nce of these cognitions on the severity of the complaints, 6 months af ter the first visit to the out-patient clinic. Methods. One hundred an d five consecutive patients with IBS referred by their general practit ioners to the out-patient clinic for internal medicine completed quest ionaires about their complaints and their complaint-related cognitions and anxiety before the first and after the last out-patient visit and again at follow-up, 6 months after the first out-patient consultation . Results. Positive changes in the patients' complaint-related cogniti ons during the consulting period were found to persist during the foll ow-up period. Improvement in abdominal complaints at follow-up was fou nd to be related to the level of the patients' state anxiety, fear of cancer, and catastrophizing cognitions at the last out-patient visit. Conclusions. Medical consultations can bring about long-lasting positi ve changes in prognostically unfavourable cognitions and anxiety. Thes e changes appear to be related to a better outcome of IBS.