title: Impact of depression and anxiety on the quality of life of constipated patients.
abstract: Constipation negatively affects quality of life (QOL), however, the specific mechanisms through which this relationship occurs are unclear. The present study examined anxiety and depression as potential mediators of the relationship between constipation severity and QOL in a sample of 142 constipated patients. Results indicated that depression symptom severity mediated the relationship between constipation severity and mental health-related QOL. For patients meeting diagnostic criteria for Major Depressive Disorder, indirect effects were observed in the relationship between constipation severity and both physical and mental health-related QOL. Anxiety did not contribute to this model. Treating depression may be useful in improving QOL in severely constipated patients, which highlights the importance of psychological screening and treatment referrals in primary care settings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Jenna J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Albiani
authors.forename: Stacey L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berian
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Rosario
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Madhulika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Varma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003248:Constipation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires