Comorbidity of irritable bowel syndrome in general practice: a striking feature with clinical implications.
BACKGROUND
Somatic comorbid symptoms might identify irritable bowel syndrome patients with different aetiologies and needs of treatment.


OBJECTIVE
To measure comorbid symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome in general practice, and to explore characteristics of patients with low, intermediate and high somatic comorbidity.


METHODS
Prospective study of 208 of 278 consecutive patients with irritable bowel syndrome (Rome II) in nine general practices. Questionnaires assessed 22 comorbid symptoms (subjective health complaint inventory), psychosocial factors including psychological distress (Symptom Check list-10) and quality of life (Short form-12). Subjective health complaint data from 1240 adults (controls) constituted a reference material. Patients with low, intermediate and high somatic comorbidity were identified by a somatic comorbidity score (17 subjective health complaint items). Health care seeking was assessed after 6-9 months.


RESULTS
Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (67% females, mean age 50, s.d. 16) reported 20 of 22 comorbid symptoms significantly more frequent than controls (odds ratios = 2-7, P < 0.001). The somatic comorbidity score correlated with psychological distress (R = 0.46, P < 0.001). Patients with high somatic comorbidity reported higher levels of mood disorder, health anxiety, neuroticism, adverse life events and reduced quality of life and increased health care seeking when compared to those with low and intermediate somatic comorbidity (P-values < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support the hypothesis that structured assessment of comorbid somatic symptoms might identify subgroups with different aetiology and needs of treatment.
Vandvik
P O
PO
Department of Medicine, Innlandet Hospital Health Authority, Gjøvik, Norway. per.vandvik@start.no
Wilhelmsen
I
I
Ihlebaek
C
C
Farup
P G
PG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life