title: Endocrine dysregulation in women with irritable bowel syndrome according to Rome II criteria.
abstract: The etiology of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is unexplained: biological, psychological and social factors must be considered. This study examined if differences in HPA-axis activity already exist in those who do not yet fulfill IBS criteria (i.e. "subthreshold IBS"). We also investigated whether there were differences between those who reported clinically relevant (i.e. distressing) IBS symptoms and those who did not. Thirty-six women were subdivided into three groups (IBS group, subthreshold IBS group, control group). Results showed differences in morning cortisol levels (U = 11.58; p < 0.05), with IBS patients showing a lower cortisol response compared to controls. Subthreshold IBS patients were comparable to controls regarding endocrine function. Diurnal cortisol levels did not differ between groups. Group comparisons between distressed subjects and non-distressed subjects regarding cortisol levels did not reach significance. The finding of endocrine abnormalities (at least in a sub-set of patients) is important since these might be associated with deficient pain processing in IBS.
authors: Department of Psychology, Clinical Biopsychology, University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr.18, 35032, Marburg, Germany. markert@staff.uni-marburg.de.
authors: Charlotte
authors: C
authors: Markert
authors: Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestr.14, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Kerstin
authors: K
authors: Suarez-Hitz
authors: Department of Psychology, Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Binzmühlestr.14, 8050, Zurich, Switzerland.
authors: Ulrike
authors: U
authors: Ehlert
authors: Department of Psychology, Clinical Biopsychology, University of Marburg, Gutenbergstr.18, 35032, Marburg, Germany.
authors: Urs M
authors: UM
authors: Nater
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000378:metabolism*; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism*; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006854:Hydrocortisone
keywords: Cortisol awakening response; Distress; Irritable bowel syndrome; Rome II criteria; Rome III criteria