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Anxiety in close relationships is higher and self-esteem lower in patients with irritable bowel syndrome compared to patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Bengtsson, Mariette LU ; Sjöberg, Klas LU orcid ; Candamio, Martina ; Lerman, Annie and Ohlsson, Bodil LU (2013) In European Journal of Internal Medicine 24(3). p.266-272
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous research has suggested an interaction between personality factors and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as well as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We therefore aimed to elucidate differences in psychological and coping functioning between patients with IBD and IBS, and to assess the relationship of disease activity with these functions. METHODS: Seventy-four patients with IBD (mean age 43±17years, range 18-82years) and 81 patients with IBS (mean age 37±12years, range 21-66years) completed the questionnaires; Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Toronto Alexithymia, Experiences in Close Relationships, and Sense of Coherence. Disease activity was evaluated either by the Harvey-Bradshaw index, the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity... (More)
BACKGROUND: Previous research has suggested an interaction between personality factors and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as well as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We therefore aimed to elucidate differences in psychological and coping functioning between patients with IBD and IBS, and to assess the relationship of disease activity with these functions. METHODS: Seventy-four patients with IBD (mean age 43±17years, range 18-82years) and 81 patients with IBS (mean age 37±12years, range 21-66years) completed the questionnaires; Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Toronto Alexithymia, Experiences in Close Relationships, and Sense of Coherence. Disease activity was evaluated either by the Harvey-Bradshaw index, the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index, or the Visual Analogue Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. RESULTS: The study revealed that patients with IBS had higher degree of anxiety in close relationships than patients with IBD (p=0.003), and lower self-esteem (p=0.001). No other statistical differences between the whole groups IBS and IBD or between subgroups were seen. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that patients with IBS seem to have higher levels of anxiety in relationships and lower self-esteem could influence the way the patient deal with the disease and how the communication with health care professionals works out. A higher awareness of the importance of past negative life events should be taken into consideration. Whether the disease or the personal traits are the primary event should be addressed in future research. (Less)
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author
; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
European Journal of Internal Medicine
volume
24
issue
3
pages
266 - 272
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • wos:000316186400024
  • pmid:23245929
  • scopus:84875216832
  • pmid:23245929
ISSN
1879-0828
DOI
10.1016/j.ejim.2012.11.011
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
2b0b4104-1163-4933-9a9e-feaa8473c8d9 (old id 3347116)
alternative location
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23245929?dopt=Abstract
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 11:10:03
date last changed
2023-03-17 20:26:22
@article{2b0b4104-1163-4933-9a9e-feaa8473c8d9,
  abstract     = {{BACKGROUND: Previous research has suggested an interaction between personality factors and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) as well as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We therefore aimed to elucidate differences in psychological and coping functioning between patients with IBD and IBS, and to assess the relationship of disease activity with these functions. METHODS: Seventy-four patients with IBD (mean age 43±17years, range 18-82years) and 81 patients with IBS (mean age 37±12years, range 21-66years) completed the questionnaires; Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Toronto Alexithymia, Experiences in Close Relationships, and Sense of Coherence. Disease activity was evaluated either by the Harvey-Bradshaw index, the Simple Clinical Colitis Activity Index, or the Visual Analogue Scale for Irritable Bowel Syndrome. RESULTS: The study revealed that patients with IBS had higher degree of anxiety in close relationships than patients with IBD (p=0.003), and lower self-esteem (p=0.001). No other statistical differences between the whole groups IBS and IBD or between subgroups were seen. CONCLUSIONS: The fact that patients with IBS seem to have higher levels of anxiety in relationships and lower self-esteem could influence the way the patient deal with the disease and how the communication with health care professionals works out. A higher awareness of the importance of past negative life events should be taken into consideration. Whether the disease or the personal traits are the primary event should be addressed in future research.}},
  author       = {{Bengtsson, Mariette and Sjöberg, Klas and Candamio, Martina and Lerman, Annie and Ohlsson, Bodil}},
  issn         = {{1879-0828}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{266--272}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{European Journal of Internal Medicine}},
  title        = {{Anxiety in close relationships is higher and self-esteem lower in patients with irritable bowel syndrome compared to patients with inflammatory bowel disease.}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/2433760/3563947.pdf}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.ejim.2012.11.011}},
  volume       = {{24}},
  year         = {{2013}},
}