Eating disorders in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Eating disorders (ED) constitute an important group of conditions that commonly occur in adolescents. Gastrointestinal complaints are frequently reported in ED patients. Few studies assessed the association of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with ED. The aim of the current study is to determine the prevalence of ED in a group of IBS patients and compare it with a healthy control group and assess the relationship of IBS sub-types, it's duration and severity with ED. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 IBS patients diagnosed according to the Rome-IV criteria and a control group consisting of 100 healthy adults, between 18 and 65 years old, were enrolled in this study. Sub-type, duration and severity of IBS were determined. All participants were requested to fill questionnaires to screen for ED. RESULTS: 200 subjects participated in the study. 118(59%) were female and 92(41%) were male. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) score was significantly higher in the IBS group (Odds ratio: 5.3 CI 95%:4.3-9.3; p<0.001). The number of subjects with EAT score >30 was significantly higher in the IBS group (p<0.001). EAT scores were significantly higher in female IBS patients and in younger patients (p=0.013 and p=0.043; respectively). No significant association between the IBS sub-type and EAT score was found (p>0.05). However, IBS severity and duration positively correlated with EAT scores. DISCUSSION: ED should be considered in the management of IBS patients. Since many psychological factors can exacerbate IBS symptoms a multidisciplinary approach consisting of medical and behavioral therapeutic modalities should be employed for a better management of these patients.

Eating disorders in patients with irritable bowel syndrome / Trastornos de la alimentación en pacientes con síndrome de colon irritable

INTRODUCTION: Eating disorders (ED) constitute an important group of conditions that commonly occur in adolescents. Gastrointestinal complaints are frequently reported in ED patients. Few studies assessed the association of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with ED. The aim of the current study is to determine the prevalence of ED in a group of IBS patients and compare it with a healthy control group and assess the relationship of IBS sub-types, it's duration and severity with ED. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 IBS patients diagnosed according to the Rome-IV criteria and a control group consisting of 100 healthy adults, between 18 and 65 years old, were enrolled in this study. Sub-type, duration and severity of IBS were determined. All participants were requested to fill questionnaires to screen for ED. RESULTS: 200 subjects participated in the study. 118(59%) were female and 92(41%) were male. The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT) score was significantly higher in the IBS group (Odds ratio: 5.3 CI 95%:4.3-9.3; p < 0.001). The number of subjects with EAT score >30 was significantly higher in the IBS group (p < 0.001). EAT scores were significantly higher in female IBS patients and in younger patients (p = 0.013 and p = 0.043; respectively). No significant association between the IBS sub-type and EAT score was found (p > 0.05). However, IBS severity and duration positively correlated with EAT scores. DISCUSSION: ED should be considered in the management of IBS patients. Since many psychological factors can exacerbate IBS symptoms a multidisciplinary approach consisting of medical and behavioral therapeutic modalities should be employed for a better management of these patients

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los trastornos de la alimentación (TA) constituyen un grupo importante de afecciones que suelen aparecer en adolescentes. Los pacientes con TA refieren con frecuencia molestias abdominales. La asociación del síndrome de colon irritable (SCI) con los TA se ha evaluado en un número reducido de estudios. El objetivo del estudio actual es determinar la prevalencia de los TA en un grupo de pacientes con SCI y compararla con un grupo de control sano para evaluar la relación de los subtipos de SCI, así como su duración e intensidad con los TA. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: En este estudio se incluyeron 100 pacientes con SCI diagnosticados según los criterios Rome-IV y un grupo de control compuesto por 100 adultos sanos de entre 18 y 65 años. Se determinaron el subtipo, la duración y la intensidad del SCI. Se pidió a todos los pacientes que cumplimentaran cuestionarios de detección de TA. RESULTADOS: En el estudio participaron 200 sujetos. Ciento dieciocho (59%) eran mujeres y 92 (41%) eran varones. La puntuación en las pruebas de actitudes alimentarias (Eating Attitudes Test [EAT]) fue significativamente superior en el grupo de SCI (cociente de probabilidades: 5,3; IC del 95%: 4,3-9,3; p < 0,001). El número de sujetos con puntuación de EAT>30 fue significativamente superior en el grupo de SCI (p < 0,001). Las puntuaciones de EAT fueron significativamente superiores en pacientes mujeres con SCI y en pacientes más jóvenes (p = 0,013 y p = 0,043, respectivamente). No se halló una asociación significativa entre el subtipo de SCI y la puntuación de EAT (p > 0,05). Sin embargo, la intensidad y la duración del SCI presentaron una correlación positiva con las puntuaciones de EAT. DISCUSIÓN: El TA debe tenerse en cuenta en el tratamiento de los pacientes con SCI. Puesto que muchos factores psicológicos pueden exacerbar los síntomas del SCI, deberá emplearse un enfoque multidisciplinar compuesto por modalidades terapéuticas médicas y conductuales para un mejor tratamiento de estos pacientes