The association of catastrophizing with quality-of-life outcomes in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

BackgroundCatastrophizing is a cognitive process characterized by a propensity to concentrate on and magnify the value of an actual or anticipated painful stimulus and negatively assesses one’s ability to cope. Catastrophizing is an important predictor of pain-related outcomes. A cornerstone symptom of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is abdominal pain or discomfort. Also individuals with IBS have been reported to have a tendency to catastrophize. In a sample of individuals who suffer from IBS, we hypothesized that those individuals who catastrophize (catastrophizers) would have worse outcomes as compared to those who do not catastrophize (non-catastrophizers).MethodsOne hundred and one adults with IBS (79% female, mean age 42 years, 97% Caucasian) were recruited from outpatient clinics and data were collected through self-report measures. Catastrophizing was measured with the catastrophizing subscale of the Coping Strategies Questionnaire, illness representations were measured with The Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R), psychological distress was measured with the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 (BSI-18), and health-related quality of life was measured using the Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) measure. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple linear regression analyses were completed to describe participants, the associations of the variables of interest, and the unique relationship between psychosocial variables and HRQOL.ResultsOverall, participants reported poor HRQOL (M = 63.32, range 0–100). Catastrophizers differed significantly on IBS-QOL from non-catastrophizers (M = 48.98 vs. non-catastrophizers M = 78.53; p < 0.001), BSI-18 (M = 21.35 vs. non-catastrophizers M = 6.76; p < 0.001), and IPQ-R, specifically the consequences (M = 21.75 vs. non-catastrophizers M = 17.20; p < 0.001) and emotional representations (M = 20.90 vs. non-catastrophizers M = 15.43; p < 0.001). Catastrophizing was positively correlated with the consequences (r = .54; p < 0.01) and emotional representations (r = .65; p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with total HRQOL (r = −0.76; p < 0.01).ConclusionThe findings indicated that participants who catastrophized reported worse psychosocial and functional outcomes. Thus, catastrophizing, in addition to psychological distress variables, may be an important factor to address in optimizing health outcomes in individuals with IBS. In addition, illness perceptions were strongly related to catastrophizing and HRQOL; assessment and integration of illness perceptions as well as catastrophizing into the management of individuals who suffer with IBS may maximize the health outcomes.

The long‐term effect and adherence of a low fermentable oligosaccharides disaccharides monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP) diet in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

“…With a mean IBS‐QOL score of 72.3 out of a total of 100, the long‐term IBS related QOL appears to be similar to, or even slightly better than, the results found in short‐term studies . The predominant disease course in the participants of the study was mild IBS with indolent course.…”

Layperson's knowledge and perceptions of irritable bowel syndrome as potential barriers to care

“…Irritable bowel syndrome is a prevalent chronic gastrointestinal disorder that has a negative impacts on the quality of life of the patient and contributes to frequent provider visits, increased healthcare costs and provider frustrations (Chey et al., ; Sherwin et al., ). A potential co‐contributor to these challenges are the laypersons views held by the social networks of those who have IBS.…”

“…In addition, food allergies and intolerances were endorsed by the laypersons as a risk factor contributing to the development of IBS. Food intolerances have been described as having a negative impact on quality of life in individuals with IBS (Sherwin et al., ) and diet modification for management of food‐associated symptoms has been a major focus of current research (Marsh, Eslick, & Eslick, ). Providing education on IBS to improve the understanding and reduce the misconceptions of serious disease development to both patients and their social networks has the potential benefit of increasing quality of life, decreasing anxiety and reducing patient care visits (Ringstrom et al., ; Yu, Ouyang, Zhang, Li, & Chen, )…”

“…The social networks create the practical, social and emotional support often needed for the patient to feel confident with their healthcare decisions (Rosland & Piette, ). Particular to individuals who suffer from IBS, intestinal, extra‐intestinal and psychobehavioral symptoms have a negative impact on their physical, social and emotional well‐being (Sherwin, Leary, & Henderson, ). The complexity of this syndrome lends itself to patients seeking support from their social networks.…”

“…Particular to individuals who suffer from IBS, intestinal, extraintestinal and psychobehavioral symptoms have a negative impact on their physical, social and emotional well-being (Sherwin, Leary, & Henderson, 2017). The complexity of this syndrome lends itself to patients seeking support from their social networks.…”