Irritable bowel syndrome, mental health, and quality of life: Data from a population‐based survey in Germany (SHIP‐Trend‐0)

Abstract

Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is associated with reduced quality of life and high healthcare costs. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors for IBS in a general adult population. Methods The Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) is a population‐based cohort study in northeastern Germany. SHIP‐Trend‐0 participants enrolled from 2008 to 2012 were grouped according to Rome III criteria (main criteria: abdominal discomfort or crampy or bloating pain for at least six months plus 2/3 additional criteria). Factors associated with IBS were assessed using survey‐weighted backward stepwise logistic regression. Key Results The final data set included 4194 records. IBS prevalence was 3.5% (3.0%‐4.2%). Unemployment (OR: 2.02, 1.26‐3.21), headaches (OR: 2.37, 1.59‐3.52), mental quality of life (OR: 0.95 per unit increase, 0.93‐0.97), and interactions between gender and physical quality of life (P = 0.004) and gender and alexithymia (P = 0.002) predicted IBS probability. The model resulted in a good discrimination (area under the curve = 75.4%) and model fit (F = 0.72, P = 0.69). History of depression (OR: 2.77, 1.94‐3.95), back pain (OR: 2.38, 1.69‐3.35), early trauma (OR: 1.03, 1.02‐1.04), and duration of inpatient treatment within the last twelve months (OR: 1.02, 1.01‐1.04) lost their significance in multivariable analysis. Conclusions & Inferences IBS prevalence was relatively low compared to other studies. Factors predicting IBS were of biological, psychological, and social nature. The association between IBS and pain in different areas of the body indicates a potential underlying complex somatic symptom disorder.

Exploring Quality of Life, Stress, and Risk Factors Associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome for Female University Students in Taiwan

“…Another study indicated that lower physical and mental QOL increased the probability of IBS [57]. Compared with that in men, the effect of physical QOL on the probability of IBS occurrence in women was more notable [57]. The results of this study confirmed that the physical domain of QOL among the female university students was a predictor of IBS.…”

“…One study demonstrated that half of the incidence of reduced QOL among patients with IBS resulted from other factors, such as anxiety [56]. Another study indicated that lower physical and mental QOL increased the probability of IBS [57]. Compared with that in men, the effect of physical QOL on the probability of IBS occurrence in women was more notable [57].…”

Systematic review with meta‐analysis: the prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

“…The information of studies related to depressive symptoms has been summarised in Table S3. Analysis of 47 articles indicated that the pooled prevalence of depressive symptoms was 28.8% (95% CI: 23.6‐34; I 2 = 99.1%) in 22 842 IBS patients (Figure ). Visual inspection of the funnel plot indicates some asymmetry (Figure S5).…”

The role of physical exercise in the treatment of IBS

“…Among Chinese students, those reporting doing physical exercise almost never showed a significantly higher prevalence of IBS 62 . However, two recent large community-based studies using the same definition for physically active lifestyle (one or more hours walking weekly, which in our mind is an index of sedentarism) provided completely different conclusions; among Iranian people, sedentary lifestyle was associated with IBS in non-overweight subjects 63 , while in Germany, no association between sedentary lifestyle and IBS was identified 64 .…”