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Bladder Pain Sensitivity Is a Potential Risk Factor for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Arielle E Shlobin1, Frank F Tu1,2, Cody R Sain2
1Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Northshore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA.
Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|March 6, 2023
Summary
Dysmenorrhea and bladder pain increase irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) risk. Provoked bladder pain, a marker of visceral hypersensitivity, predicted new IBS cases in women, suggesting early treatment may help prevent IBS.
Area of Science:
- Gynecology
- Gastroenterology
- Pain Medicine
Background:
- Dysmenorrhea (painful periods) is a significant risk factor for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
- The underlying mechanisms linking dysmenorrhea to IBS are not fully understood.
- Cross-organ pelvic sensitization and heightened visceral sensitivity are hypothesized to play a role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between dysmenorrhea, provoked bladder pain, and IBS.
- To examine the role of cross-organ pelvic sensitization in the development of IBS.
- To identify predictors of IBS-domain pain frequency and new onset.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 190 women with moderate-to-severe menstrual pain but no prior IBS diagnosis was studied.
- Visceral pain sensitivity was assessed using a noninvasive provoked bladder pain test.
- The relationship between menstrual pain, bladder pain, pain catastrophizing, anxiety, depression, and IBS outcomes was analyzed over 1 year.
Main Results:
- Menstrual pain, provoked bladder pain, and anxiety were independently associated with frequent IBS-domain pain.
- Provoked bladder pain was the only significant predictor of new-onset IBS-domain pain after 1 year.
- All hypothesized factors correlated with the frequency of IBS-domain pain.
Conclusions:
- Heightened visceral sensitivity, indicated by provoked bladder pain, may contribute to IBS development in women with dysmenorrhea.
- Provoked bladder pain predicts the future onset of IBS.
- Further research on early treatment of visceral hypersensitivity to mitigate IBS is warranted.
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