title: Prediction of treatment outcome among patients with irritable bowel syndrome treated with group cognitive therapy.
abstract: Using a sample of over 125 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who were treated with cognitive therapy administered in small groups, we sought to predict end of treatment and 3-month follow-up improvement in two changes indices of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (Pain/Discomfort Index which assessed change in abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness and bloating and Bowel Regularity Index which assessed change in diarrhea and constipation). We also sought to predict scores on IBS specific quality of life (QOL) and overall level of psychological distress using the Global Severity Index (GSI) of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Significant, but modest, levels of prediction were found for prediction of improvement in GI symptoms (4-15% of variance). Stronger significant prediction was obtained for the QOL and global psychological distress measure with R(2)'s ranging from 0.36 to 0.50. A wide variety of demographic, GI symptom, psychological status and psychiatric status variables entered the final prediction equations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Center for Stress and Anxiety Disorders, University of Albany-SUNY, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222 0001, USA. ceblanchard@earthlink.net
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Blanchard
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lackner
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gusmano
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Gudleski
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Keefer
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Krasner
mesh_terms: D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome