Psychological disorders in patients with chronic constipation.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of present study was to screen two categories of psychiatric disorders in chronic functional constipation.


BACKGROUND
It has been established that the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders among patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders is higher than in the general population.


METHODS
Fifty four constipated patients were recruited from patients referred to the motility disorder department of Research Center for Gastroentrology and Liver Diseases, and screened for psychiatric disorders using HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview).


RESULTS
The results showed a relatively high prevalence of anxiety and depression both in HADS (33.3% and 22.2% respectively) and MINI (33.3% and 31.5% respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on our results the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in constipated patients is much higher than general population and in order to reduce health care costs for constipated patients, we need to have an intervention program for comorbid psychological dysfunctions which affect the course of gastrointestinal disorders.
Health psychologist, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Sahar Tahbaz
ST
Hosseinzadeh
Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Sara
S
Poorsaadati
Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Babak
B
Radkani
Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mojgan
M
Forootan
Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder; Rome III criteria; psychiatric disorders