Advanced search×

Somatic comorbidities of irritable bowel syndrome: A systematic analysis

Andrea A Riedl, Marco M Schmidtmann, Andreas A Stengel, Miriam M Goebel, Anna-Sophia AS Wisser, Burghard F BF Klapp, and Hubert H Mönnikes

J Psychosom Res 64(6):10 (2008) PMID 18501257

Objective: A large number of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients are additionally afflicted with other somatic intestinal and/or extraintestinal comorbidities. The occurrence of one or more comorbidities is correlated with enhanced medical help seeking, worse prognosis, and higher rates of anxiety and depression-all resulting in a reduced quality of life. The aims of this study were, firstly, to review the literature on comorbidities of IBS and to assess gastrointestinal and extraintestinal comorbidities, and, secondly, to evaluate explanatory hypotheses and possible common pathophysiological mechanisms. Methods: We systematically reviewed the scientific literature in the past 25 years, as cited in MEDLINE. Results: IBS patients present with a twofold increase in somatic comorbidities compared to controls, possibly caused by common pathophysiological mechanisms. Nevertheless, to date, there has been no convincing evidence for a consolidated underlying pathophysiology or somatization. Gastrointestinal disorders, such as functional dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, functional constipation, and anal incontinence, occur in almost half of the patients. In a broad variety of extraintestinal comorbidities, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and chronic pelvic pain are best documented and appear in up to 65%. Conclusion: The knowledge and structured assessment of comorbid somatic symptoms might allow to identify subgroups of IBS patients with special characteristics and lead to adaptation of the therapeutic concept.

Copyright © 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2008.02.021
Version: za2963e q8za5 q8zba q8zca q8zd5 q8ze9 q8zf5 q8zg2

Similar articles you may find interesting…

  1. Functional gastrointestinal disorders: past and present.
    Rana Fayez Ammoury, Marian Del Rosario Pfefferkorn, and Joseph Marino Croffie

    World J Pediatr 5(2):103-12 (2009) PMID 19718531

    FGIDs are a cause of great anxiety, distress and morbidity in children as well as adults. As our understanding of these conditions improves, our therapeutic interventions will progress not only to overcome them but also to intervene early in the disease course so as to limit long-term impact....
  2. Multidimensionality of symptom complexes in irritable bowel syndrome and other functional gastrointestinal disorders
    David H DH Alpers

    J Psychosom Res 64(6):6 (2008) PMID 18501256

    We better define the symptom burden in IBS and other FGIDs? In short, have we hampered the evaluation of IBS (and other FGIDs) by making the definitions too reductionist? While definite answers to the above questions are not possible at this time, this article proposes that the definitions of IBS or...
  3. Where does hypnotherapy stand in the management of irritable bowel syndrome? A systematic review.
    Ali A Gholamrezaei, Samaneh Khanpour SK Ardestani, and Mohammad Hasan MH Emami

    J Altern Complement Med 12(6):517-27 (2006) PMID 16884342

    Although there are some methodologic inadequacies, all studies show that hypnotherapy is highly effective for patients with refractory IBS, but definite efficacy of hypnosis in the treatment of IBS remains unclear due to lack of controlled trials supporting this finding....