[Health-related quality of life in irritable bowel syndrome]

Due to the increasing outbreak of irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] and its relation to hospital costs and disruptions to quality of life, this study is an attempt to investigate patient quality of life and its relationship with IBS according to the results of the WHQOL-BREF Questionnaire. This descriptive-analytic, cross-sectional study enrolled 250 patients and 250 healthy participants who referred to the Gastroenterology Clinic of Sina Hospital, affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences during 2012. The diagnosis of IBS was determined by a gastrointestinal expert based on ROME-III Criteria. Then, the study was explained to participants prior to administration of this questionnaire. The level of life quality in patients with IBS was less than the control group. There was no significant difference between groups in terms of age, gender, education level, marital status, and place of residency. There was no significant difference in the above factors among patients in the subgroups of IBS. Regression analysis between quality of life and independent variables showed a correlation between quality of life to severity of IBS symptoms and disease duration. The results of the study indicated that quality of life correlated with severity of symptoms and disease duration. The quality of life in IBS patients can be enhanced by efficiently controlling symptoms.