1. Researchers, led by Bernd Löwe, MD, examined whether psychosocial burden is an independent predictor of irritable bowel syndrome or if it occurs as part of an epiphenomenon.
The team looked at the individual contribution of a variety of factors including psychosocial risk, demographics, somatic symptoms and gastrointestinal infection within a non-clinical, IBS-free population. The team used a study base including those who were at risk of developing a gastrointestinal infection because of long-distance travel.
2. Predictive factors were researched through the use of self-report scales. IBS was assessed with the ROME-III Diagnostic Questionnaire.
3. The survey had 1,464 respondents who followed up after their journal, and 1,190 completed the study at seven months post journey.
4. In the study, 53 percent were female and had an overall mean age of 39.9 years. The study population traveled on average 40.8 days, and 43.3 percent of the participants experienced moderate diarrhea.
The incidence rate of newly developed IBS was 7.2 percent.
Several factors predicted IBS including: being a female, being vulnerable to diarrhea under stress, baseline somatic symptom burden, baseline illness anxiety, diarrhea within four months pre-travel and travelers diarrhea during the journey.
5. The study concluded that gastrointestinal infection and predisposing factors predict the development of IBS. The researchers urge that the results dictate the necessity of addressing somatic and psychological needs in patients with IBS.
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