Self-management for women with irritable bowel syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
A randomized clinical trial was used to test the effectiveness of an 8-session multicomponent program (Comprehensive) compared to a Brief (single session) version and Usual Care for women with irritable bowel syndrome.


METHODS
Menstruating women, ages 18-48 years, were recruited from a health maintenance organization as well as community advertisements. Psychiatric nurse practitioners delivered both programs. The primary outcomes were improved symptoms, psychological distress, health-related quality of life, and indicators of stress-related hormones. Outcome indicators were measured at 3 points: (1) immediately after the Comprehensive program or 9 weeks after entry into the Usual Care and Brief Self-Management groups, (2) at 6 months, and (3) at 12 months.


RESULTS
Compared to Usual Care, women in the Comprehensive program had reduced gastrointestinal symptoms, psychological distress indicators, interruptions in activities because of symptoms, and enhanced quality of life that persisted at the 12-month follow-up evaluation. Women in the Brief group also demonstrated statistically significant improvements in quality of life and smaller nonsignificant improvements in other outcome variables than observed in the Comprehensive group. There were no group differences in urine catecholamines and cortisol levels.


CONCLUSIONS
A comprehensive self-management program is an important therapy approach for women with irritable bowel syndrome. The Brief 1-session version is also moderately helpful for some women with IBS.
Heitkemper
Margaret M
MM
Department of Behavioral Nursing and Health Systems, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195, USA. heit@u.washington.edu
Jarrett
Monica E
ME
Levy
Rona L
RL
Cain
Kevin C
KC
Burr
Robert L
RL
Feld
Andrew
A
Barney
Pam
P
Weisman
Pam
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008019:Life Style; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011336:Probability; D011788:Quality of Life; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013315:Stress, Psychological