Neuropsychological function is related to irritable bowel syndrome in women with premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea

Background There is increasing evidence demonstrating the co-occurrence of primary dysmenorrhea (PD), premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in women. This study aimed to investigate whether women who have symptoms of IBS in addition to PD and PMS also report more severe or frequent menstruation-associated symptoms and psychological complications compared to women with PD and PMS alone. Methods The study group included 182 female University students aged 18–25 years. IBS was diagnosed using the Rome III criteria. The severity of PMS and PD was determined using a 10-point visual analog scale and PSST (Premenstrual Syndrome Screening Tool), respectively. Neuropsychological functions including cognitive function, depression score, anxiety score, stress, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, quality of life and personality were assessed using standard questionnaires. Results Of the 182 young females, 31 (17.0%) had IBS. Average days of bleeding during the menstrual cycle and mean pain severity on the PSST scale were significantly greater in the group with IBS compared to the non-IBS group (p < 0.01). The non-IBS individuals scored more favorably than the women with IBS with respect to severity of depression, insomnia, daytime sleepiness (p < 0.05). The PSST scores were significantly correlated with scores for depression (r = 0.29; p < 0.001), anxiety (r = 0.28; p < 0.001), stress (r = 0.32; p < 0.001), insomnia (r = 0.34; p < 0.001) and daytime sleepiness (r = 0.31; p < 0.001); while, they were negatively correlated with cognitive abilities (r = − 0.20; p = 0.006) and quality of life (r = − 0.42; p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed that the PSST scores were possibly significant factors in determining the scores for depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, insomnia and daytime sleepiness (p < 0.05). Conclusion IBS is related to psychological comorbidities, in particular depression, sleep problems and menstrual-associated disorders. IBS may exacerbate the features of PMS which should be taken into account in the management of PMS

The association of irritable bowel syndrome complaints and psychological distress

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastro-intestinal disorder with complaints such as abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation. IBS has a significant negative impact on quality of life, mood and wellbeing. Research has pointed at the involvement of depression, anxiety and stress in the development of IBS symptoms. However, much remains unclear about the relationship between IBS and psychological distress. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between IBS complaints and depression, anxiety and stress. Methods: Dutch university students, aged 18 to 30 years old, were invited to complete an online survey. The presence and severity of IBS complaints was determined with the Birmingham IBS Questionnaire. This questionnaire includes 11-items that can be rated on a 6-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (‘none of the time) to 5 (‘all of the time’). A higher total IBS score indicates a greater likelihood of the diagnosis IBS. The questionnaire further consists of three symptom specific scales (diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain). A higher scale score implies more complaints. Psychological distress was assessed with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). The shortened DASS-21 includes 21 items, which can be divided in subscales for depression, anxiety and stress. Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (‘did not apply to them at all’) to 4 (‘apply to them very much, or most of the time’). Higher scores on the DASS reflect a higher degree of severity of depression, anxiety or stress complaints. Nonparametric Spearman's rho correlations were computed to investigate the association between IBS, depression, anxiety and stress. Results: Data from N = 1950 students were included in the analyses (83.6% women). IBS scores were significantly associated with DASS scores of depression (r = 0.239, p = 0.0001), anxiety (r = 0.316, p = 0.0001), and stress (r = 0.336, p = 0.0001). Similar significant correlations were observed for the three IBS subscales, of which those with the abdominal pain subscale was most strong. IBS – constipation complaints were significantly (

The association of irritable bowel syndrome complaints and psychological distress

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastro-intestinal disorder with complaints such as abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation. IBS has a significant negative impact on quality of life, mood and wellbeing. Research has pointed at the involvement of depression, anxiety and stress in the development of IBS symptoms. However, much remains unclear about the relationship between IBS and psychological distress. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between IBS complaints and depression, anxiety and stress. Methods: Dutch university students, aged 18 to 30 years old, were invited to complete an online survey. The presence and severity of IBS complaints was determined with the Birmingham IBS Questionnaire. This questionnaire includes 11-items that can be rated on a 6-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (‘none of the time) to 5 (‘all of the time’). A higher total IBS score indicates a greater likelihood of the diagnosis IBS. The questionnaire further consists of three symptom specific scales (diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain). A higher scale score implies more complaints. Psychological distress was assessed with the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). The shortened DASS-21 includes 21 items, which can be divided in subscales for depression, anxiety and stress. Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale, ranging from 0 (‘did not apply to them at all’) to 4 (‘apply to them very much, or most of the time’). Higher scores on the DASS reflect a higher degree of severity of depression, anxiety or stress complaints. Nonparametric Spearman's rho correlations were computed to investigate the association between IBS, depression, anxiety and stress. Results: Data from N = 1950 students were included in the analyses (83.6% women). IBS scores were significantly associated with DASS scores of depression (r = 0.239, p = 0.0001), anxiety (r = 0.316, p = 0.0001), and stress (r = 0.336, p = 0.0001). Similar significant correlations were observed for the three IBS subscales, of which those with the abdominal pain subscale was most strong. IBS – constipation complaints were significantly (

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Immune Fitness, and Insomnia: Results from an Online Survey Among People Reporting Sleep Complaints

Objectives: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and insomnia symptoms are often found to occur together. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sleep and IBS complaints, and their impact on reported health and daytime functioning. Methods: An online advertisement invited people with difficulty initiating and/or maintaining sleep to participate in an online survey. Sleep characteristics were assessed and the Birmingham IBS Symptoms Questionnaire was completed, including subscales on IBS-related constipation, pain, and diarrhoea. Perceived immune functioning and general health were self-rated and the lapses subscale of the Manchester Driver Behaviour Questionnaire was completed as a proxy of daytime functioning. Results: Significant associations were found between sleep symptoms and IBS-related constipation, pain, and diarrhoea reports. Most sleep variables were negatively affected in subjects reporting IBS complaints, as reflected in patients reporting poorer sleep quality and less satisfaction with their sleep pattern. The associations with sleep difficulties were most pronounced for IBS-related pain. Being a woman, of younger age, and having an insomnia diagnosis were factors that were associated with having significantly more severe IBS symptoms. The association with IBS was significant for the severity of difficulty falling asleep, but not for the severity of difficulty maintaining sleep. Conclusion: There is a clear relationship between sleep, perceived health, and IBS complaints. The association with IBS complaints was significant for difficulty falling asleep, but not for difficulty maintaining sleep, which may have implications for the combined treatment of sleep difficulties and IBS-related pain