Psychiatric disorders with irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract AR

Obfeciioe: To evaluate the association between psychiatric disorders and IBS among Iraqi patients.

ftlttkehs: This prospective study was done in Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital.

The study consisted of 58 patients fiho fulfilled the International Working Team (Rome) criteria for IBS, after exclusion of organic diseases by complete history, physical examination and laboratory examinations.

A psychiatrist assessed all patients, and the iiagnosis conformed to the International Classification of Disease s-10-Revision.

Among the depressed patients, the severity of symptoms was measured by the Beck Depression Inventory.

(BDI) Results: Of the 58 patients with IBS, 36 were female and 22 male giving a female: male ratio of 1.6:1.

The ages mged from 20-50 years with a mean of 35.

The age group most affected was that from 30-39 years (51.7%).

There were 33 patients (56.9%) with psychiatric disorders; the remaining 25 patients (43.1%) had psychiatric fjmptoms but not did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of psychiatric disorder.

Depression was the commonest Vjchiatric disorder; it was seen in 14 (42.4%) patients.

Mild depression was present in 78.6%; 14.3% had moderate depression; and 7.1% had severe depression.

Personality disorders were the second most common fsychiatric disorders; they seen in 13 (39.4%) patients.

These included neurotic, avoidant, histrionic, and unsocial personality.

Anxiety and hypochondriasis were seen in 6 (18.2%) patients.

Conclusion: Patients with IBS had an increased incidence of psychiatric disorders.

Depression and personality border were the most common disorders in these patients.