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Journal Article Ppublish 12 citations

PubMed: 37791610 DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000002547

Satisfaction With Life in IBS Is Associated With Psychological Burden Rather than Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity.

Am J Gastroenterol 119(3):512-520

Authors: Johanna T W Snijkers, Bjorn Winkens, Zsa Zsa R M Weerts, Lisa Vork, Zlatan Mujagic, Martine A M Hesselink, Carsten Leue, Joanna W Kruimel, Jean W M Muris, Daisy M A E Jonkers, Ad A M Masclee, Daniel Keszthelyi

Affiliations

  • Division of Gastroenterology-Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
  • NUTRIM, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
  • Department of Methodology and Statistics, CAPHRI, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
  • MHeNS, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
  • Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Maastricht University Medical Center+, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
  • Department of Family Medicine, CAPHRI Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands .

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has a major impact on emotional, social, and professional life. This study aimed to evaluate general life satisfaction, a subjective measure of well-being, in IBS patients, and to determine which factors are associated with higher life satisfaction.

METHODS

IBS patients (n = 195, mean age 51.4 ± 16.5 years, 73.8% female) recruited from primary and secondary/tertiary care completed questionnaires regarding gastrointestinal symptoms, quality of life, psychological factors, and life satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale, 5 items, range 5-35). A finite mixture model analysis was performed to identify latent classes. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify variables associated with life satisfaction.

RESULTS

Overall, 71.3% of the patients were satisfied about their life (Satisfaction With Life Scale-score ≥21). Three latent subgroups could be identified with significantly higher life satisfaction in the subgroup with higher mental quality of life, fewer anxiety and depressive symptoms, lower gastrointestinal specific anxiety, and lower gastrointestinal symptom severity, compared with the other 2 groups. Multivariable linear regression showed that higher physical quality of life (B0.168, P < 0.001) and higher mental quality of life (B0.199, P < 0.001) were associated with higher life satisfaction. Using multivariable regression, no significant association was found between gastrointestinal symptom severity and life satisfaction.

DISCUSSION

Higher physical and mental quality of life, but not gastrointestinal symptom severity, were independently associated with higher general life satisfaction in IBS. These findings reinforce the clinical need in IBS treatment to focus on the full extent of the disorder and not merely on gastrointestinal symptom improvement. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00775060.

MeSH

Quality Of Life, Gastroenterology, Signs And Symptoms

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