Irritable bowel syndrome in renal transplant patients: prevalence, link with quality of life, anxiety, and depression.
BACKGROUND
Gastrointestinal complications are common in renal transplant recipients and may arise from any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is highly common in the general population, but the status is not known in renal transplant patients. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of IBS and its association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL), anxiety, and depression in renal transplant patients.


METHODS
One hundred and ninety-eight patients were enrolled in this study. Sociodemographic and laboratory variables were recorded. Severity of depressive and anxiety symptoms and HRQOL were assessed by the Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Short Form 36 (SF-36), respectively. Diagnosis of IBS was based on Rome III criteria.


RESULTS
The mean age was 38 ± 10 years and 61% were male. The mean transplant duration was 62 ± 54 months. Among 198 patients, 55 (27%) had IBS. Patients with IBS had lower SF-36 scores and had higher depressive and anxiety symptoms than patients without IBS.


CONCLUSIONS
IBS is highly prevalent in renal transplant patients. The presence of IBS is closely related with HRQOL anxiety and depression.
Division of Nephrology, Ege University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey. ozkangungor@yahoo.com.tr
Ozkan
O
Gungor
Fatih
F
Kircelli
Mehmet Nuri
MN
Turan
Ozgul
O
Cetin
Hayriye
H
Elbi
Erhan
E
Tatar
Ozen Onen
OO
Sertoz
Huseyin
H
Toz
D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology