psychopathology of irritable bowel syndrome

ABSTRACT

This is a controlled study of Psychiatric Manifestations of irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] among Saudi patients. The patients and control groups [40 each] were matched for age, sex and marital status. The self reporting questionnaire and a semi-structured psychiatric interviews were the tools used for the psychiatric assessment of the patients. Psychiatric morbidity among patients with IBS was high 80%. The commonest psychiatric presentations were psychoneurotic disorders[anxiety, depression and conversion]. Abdominal pain, flatulence, constipation and diarrhea were the dominant physical symptoms. Stressful life events were frequently associated with IBS [50%], especially marital and family disorder [75%]. Self reporting questionnaire proved to be a valid screening instrument with a high sensitivity and specificity