Comparing the mental health and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and healthy subjects in Kashan, Iran

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that is characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea or constipation. The severity of IBS is associated with mental health and quality of life. Thus, the present study aimed to compare the mental health and the quality of life in IBS patients and healthy subjects in Kashan, Iran. Materials and Methods: In this analytical cross-sectional study, 71 patients with IBS meeting the diagnostic criteria of Rom- III and 69 healthy subjects were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the demographic questionnaire, general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) and quality of life questionnaire (QOL-34) and then analyzed. Results: Results showed that the mean scores for quality of life (101.21) and its sub-scales in IBS patients were lower than those in healthy subjects (47.31), but the mean scores for mental health (30.11) and its sub-scales were higher than those in healthy subjects (19.57). Moreover, the signs, anxiety and depression in IBS patients were more severe than healthy subjects. Conclusion: It seems that mental health and the quality of life are lower for IBS patients compared to healthy subjects in this city