A single session of reassurance can acutely improve the self-perception of impairment in patients with IBS.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the reported frequency and self-perceived importance of factors related to health care seeking by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients and the effect of reassurance on these factors.


METHODS
Fifty-five IBS patients, consulting for the first time, answered a questionnaire designed to evaluate these factors (FRQ), measurements of anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL). A thorough explanation of the disease and reassurance were given, and the FRQ was answered again.


RESULTS
The frequency of factors was: pain/discomfort, 78%; cancer fear, 11%; daily function impairment, 33%; symptoms stressfulness, 60%; and none, 2%. Pain/discomfort and symptom stressfulness were considered the most important ones. Cancer fear and symptom stressfulness correlated with anxiety (P=.003, .042), depression (P=.038, .019), and daily function impairment with depression (P=.05). Cancer fear, daily function impairment, and symptom stressfulness impacted on QoL. Reassurance acutely decreased the self-perception of daily function impairment (P=.003), independent of the patient's educational level.


CONCLUSIONS
Reassurance during the first consultation for IBS decreased the self-perception of impairment in daily function.
Schmulson
Max J
MJ
Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine-Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico. maxjulio@avantel.net
Ortiz-Garrido
Orianna M
OM
Hinojosa
Carlos
C
Arcila
Denise
D
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires