IBS is a chronic disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that affects up to 15% of the population. Symptoms include cramping, bloating, and abdominal pain. While the cause of IBS remains unknown, multiple factors, including diet, stress, hormone, and genetic factors, may trigger or underlie the condition.
In the current study, researchers analyzed healthcare data from 1.26 million IBS patient hospitalizations. The data was collected between 2016 and 2019 and recorded in the US-based National inpatient sample (NIS). They found that patients with IBS had a significantly higher incidence of various psychiatric conditions than the general population:
The researchers noted that the gut-brain axis might explain the link between IBS and mental health conditions. In this sense, IBS symptoms may influence mental health, and mental health conditions may, in turn, affect gastrointestinal health.
“I frequently tell my patients who have IBS, that if they have any type of psychological stress, it will get expressed in some form or the other,” said senior author Yezaz Ghouri, MD, assistant professor of clinical medicine and gastroenterology, in a press release.
“The mesentery membrane that holds the intestines together has one of the largest collections of nerve cells in the body. When those nerves start firing impulses, that can lead to the state of nervousness in and around the GI tract, resulting in IBS symptoms. The resulting decline in patient quality of life can lead to poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking. Early evaluation and treatment of both IBS and associated psychiatric conditions is essential,” he added.
Sources: EurekAlert, Irish Journal of Medical Science
