Predicting Intensity of Symptoms in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome Based on Their Mental Health, Quality of Life, and the Use of Leisure Time

This study aimed to predict the intensity of symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) based on their mental health, quality of life, and use of leisure time.
To do this, 300 patients were chosen from those who referred to two gastrointestinal clinics in north and east of Tehran by using target-based sampling method. Of them 92 patients filled out the Rome–III diagnostic questionnaire, Ryff Scale of Psychological Well-Being (RSPWB), SF-12 questionnaire, and leisure time questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis.
The results showed that mental health, quality of life, and use of leisure time can predict the intensity of symptoms in these patients (p ≤ 0.01). It was also observed that among the demographic variables, age (older patients), sex (female patients), marital status (married patients), level of education (low literacy skills), and the number of referrals to physicians can predict the intensity of symptoms (p ≤ 0.01).
It can be concluded that mental health turned out to be the strongest predictive variable. Also, quality of life and use of leisure time can predict the intensity of symptoms in patients. Hence, improving mental health and providing a better environment for living and recreation may have a positive outcome for patients with IBS.