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Gender differences in irritable bowel syndrome: the interpersonal connection
Author(s) -
Thakur E. R.,
Gurtman M. B.,
Keefer L.,
Brenner D. M.,
Lackner J. M.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
neurogastroenterology and motility
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.489
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1365-2982
pISSN - 1350-1925
DOI - 10.1111/nmo.12647
Subject(s) - irritable bowel syndrome , distress , interpersonal communication , clinical psychology , psychosocial , psychology , social support , population , beck depression inventory , anxiety , interpersonal relationship , psychiatry , beck anxiety inventory , quality of life (healthcare) , medicine , psychotherapist , social psychology , environmental health
Abstract Background While irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS ) affects women more than men, the reasons are unclear. Research on the female preponderance of IBS has focused on gender differences in sex‐linked biological processes; much less attention has been paid to the role of psychosocial factors. Interpersonal difficulties may be one source of stress that may significantly impact on women with IBS . Because of the importance that women attach to relationships, we suspected they would be more reactive to interpersonal stress. Methods A total of 283 ( M age = 41 years, F = 80%), Rome III‐diagnosed IBS patients completed a test battery that included the IBS Symptom Severity Scale, McGill Pain Questionnaire, Inventory of Interpersonal Problems ( IIP ), interpersonal support evaluation list (social support), Negative Interactions Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory (distress), Beck Depression Inventory, Anxiety Sensitivity Inventory, and IBS ‐Quality of Life as part of baseline assessment of an NIH trial. Key Results Males scored higher on two IIP scales reflecting a hostile‐dominant interpersonal pattern, and reported less social support. The quality of relationship problems (more interpersonal difficulties, lower support) correlated with IBS symptom severity as measured mainly by gastroenterologists. Conclusions & Inferences Male, not female, IBS patients reported more interpersonal difficulties. Male patients—a population for whom little is known—are characterized by hostile‐dominant interpersonal problems. This finding has clinical importance, given that relationship problems may influence MD s' estimation of IBS symptom severity and undermine the physician–patient relationship.