Abstract
| Gender and Weight Influence Quality of Life in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Sherwin LB1,2, Ozoji OM3, Boulineaux CM4, Joseph PV5, Fourie NH6, Abey SK7, Zhang X8, Henderson WA9. J Clin Med. 2017 Nov 1;6(11). pii: E103. doi: 10.3390/jcm6110103. |
| Author information 1 Sinclair School of Nursing, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO 65211, USA. sherwinl@missouri.edu. 2 Digestive Disorders Unit, Biobehavioral Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. sherwinl@missouri.edu. 3 Digestive Disorders Unit, Biobehavioral Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. onyinyechi.ozoji@nih.gov. 4 Digestive Disorders Unit, Biobehavioral Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. christina.boulineaux@nih.gov. 5 Digestive Disorders Unit, Biobehavioral Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. paule.joseph@nih.gov. 6 Digestive Disorders Unit, Biobehavioral Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. nicolaas.fourie@nih.gov. 7 School of Nursing & Health Studies, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20007, USA. skabey1@gmail.com. 8 Digestive Disorders Unit, Biobehavioral Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. xuemin.zhang@nih.gov. 9 Digestive Disorders Unit, Biobehavioral Branch, Division of Intramural Research, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. hendersw@mail.nih.gov. Abstract Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and bowel dysfunction in the absence of structural abnormality. Diagnosis can be challenging and often leads to extensive medical tests, non-effective therapeutic modalities, and reduced quality of life (QOL). Identifying factors associated with dysfunction have the potential to enhance outcomes. Participants with IBS (n = 41) and healthy volunteers (n = 74) were recruited into this cross-sectional, descriptive, natural history protocol at the National Institute of Health, Clinical Center. Demographic characteristics were self-reported. QOL was assessed with the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life (IBS-QOL) questionnaire. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, factorial ANOVA, and multiple regression. Individuals with IBS reported lower QOL scores across all QOL-subscales compared to healthy controls. Normal-weight women and overweight men with IBS reported the greatest QOL impairment. Body fat percent had confounding effects on the relationship between IBS and QOL. The disparity between QOL scores in participants with IBS by both gender and weight groups may reflect different social pressures perceived by normal and overweight women and men. These findings enhance the recognition of the disparities in patients with chronic symptoms and thereby lead to personalized assessment and interventions to improve their QOL. |
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