It is not clear whether these poor outcomes directly result from severe bowel symptoms or reflect a coexisting psychiatric disorder. Predictors were abdominal pain, entries in a diary of 10 IBS symptoms, and measures of psychological symptoms. Predictor and outcome measures were compared by using multiple regression and logistic regression analyses. Abdominal pain occurred on average 24 days per month and activities were restricted on 145 days of the previous 12 months. History of sexual abuse was not an independent predictor of outcome.
Optimal treatment is likely to require a holistic approach.
Since health care and loss of productivity costs are not clearly associated with these symptoms, alleviation of them will not necessarily lead to reduced costs. Ann Intern Med. The authors thank the Medical Research Council for financing the study, the Health Authorities for financing the psychotherapists, the patients who consented to take part in the trial, and the physicians who prescribed the antidepressant medication. St. George's Community Health, Winter Street, Sheffield S3 7ND, United Kingdom. Salford M6 8HD, United Kingdom.