Correlation between psychological disorder and irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common gastrointestinal disorders. Psychological factors are major factors involved in this disease. Some psychological areas such as anger have not been investigated in Iranian patients. Therefore this study was conducted to determine the correlation between psychological problems and IBS، compared to controls. Participants in this case-control study included 45 patients with IBS and 50 healthy controls. Clinical diagnosis and treatment of IBS was carried out by a gastroenterologist. Anxiety، depression، stress and anger were evaluated by DASS 21 and Staxi2 scales and the results were analyzed with statistical tests. These two groups were similar in terms of age and gender. Generalized anxiety disorder was seen in 40% of IBS patients compared with 7. 9% of the healthy group، obsessive compulsive disorder was in 18% of IBS patients and in 2. 5% of the healthy group، panic disorder was seen in 13% of IBS patients and in 2% of the healthy group، depression was seen in 24% of IBS patients and 12% of the healthy group (P < 0. 05). It seems that psychological problems are involved in the development of IBS. Study on the effect of psychological treatment in IBS is suggested.