Related Experiment Videos
Psychological profiles and quality of life differ between patients with dyssynergia and those with slow transit
Satish S C Rao1, Kara Seaton, Megan J Miller
1University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA 52242-1009, USA. satish-rao@uiowa.edu
Background:
Pathophysiological characteristics differ between slow transit constipation (STC) and dyssynergic defecation, but whether psychological profiles and quality of life (QOL) are altered and whether they differ among these constipation subtypes are unknown.
Methods:
We prospectively evaluated psychological profiles and QOL in 76 patients with dyssynergia, 38 patients with STC, and 44 control subjects using the Revised 90-item Symptom Checklist and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. In addition, we examined the correlations of psychological and QOL domains with constipation symptoms and pathophysiological subtypes.
Results:
Symptom scores for hostility and paranoid ideation were higher (P<.001) in patients with dyssynergic defecation than in patients with STC and control subjects. Scores for other psychological domains were higher (P<.0001) in patients with dyssynergic defecation and those with STC than in control subjects. Most QOL subscores were impaired (P<.05) in patients with dyssynergic defecation and some were impaired in patients with STC as compared with control subjects, but the two patient groups did not differ on these. The QOL subscores were strongly correlated (r(c) approximately .9) with the psychological subscores in patients with dyssynergic defecation and those with STC, although more QOL subscores among patients with dyssynergic defecation and more psychological subscores among patients with STC primarily contributed to the canonical correlations. A set of six commonly reported constipation symptoms showed significant correlations with QOL and psychological subscores, more so among patients with STC than among patients with dyssynergic defecation.
Conclusions:
Patients with dyssynergic defecation had greater psychological distress and impaired health-related QOL as compared with patients with STC and control subjects. Both patient groups were also more affected as compared with the control group. There was a strong correlation between psychological dysfunction and impaired QOL, and both also correlated with constipation symptoms.
Related Concept Videos
01:23Irritable Bowel Syndrome
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:21Drugs for Treatment of Constipation-Predominant IBS
01:23Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Serotonin Receptor Agonists
01:22Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Bulk-Forming and Stimulant Laxatives
Bulk-forming laxatives, such as psyllium, methylcellulose, and polycarbophil, absorb water in the intestine, increasing stool bulk and promoting bowel movement. This makes...
01:17Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...