No difference in symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome between healthy subjects and patients with recurrent depression in remission.
There is bidirectional comorbidity between anxiety/depression and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). To investigate the prevalence of IBS symptoms, and factors associated with gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with recurrent depressive disorder. Patients (n = 95) with recurrent type of major depression according to DSM-IV criteria and sex- and age-matched controls (n = 190) were sent questionnaires investigating symptoms of IBS [Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS)-IBS] and symptoms of anxiety and depression [Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)]. Medical records were checked over a 10-year period for chronic somatic symptoms or diseases. Seventy-three patients with unipolar disorder (mean age 63.6 years SD 13.8; range 23-86 years) and 156 controls (mean age 59.2 years SD 11.6, range 21-85 years) responded. Patients with recurrent depression had higher GSRS-IBS scores and showed a strong correlation between symptoms of IBS and anxiety-depression (r(s) = 0.54; P < 0.001). IBS symptoms were also associated with multiple pain symptoms, higher health-seeking behaviour and selective-serotonin-reuptake inhibitor intake. However, patients with recurrent depression (n = 46) in remission (HADS-Depression score <8) did not have more symptoms of IBS than controls (GSRS-IBS median score 6.0 vs 6.5; P = 0.46). There is a strong association between symptoms of IBS and symptoms of anxiety and depression, whereas depressive patients in remission do not have more IBS symptoms than controls.
Karling
P
P
Department of Medicine/Gastroenterology, University Hospital of Umeå, Umeå, Sweden. Pontus.karling@vll.se
Danielsson
A
A
Adolfsson
R
R
Norrback
K-F
KF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012008:Recurrence; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012720:Severity of Illness Index