Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 12, 2026
Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform
Published on: November 30, 2016
Bidirectional associations between irritable bowel syndrome and psychological distress: a longitudinal
Ya-Ju Yu1, Yao-Ching Huang2, Tsu-Hsuan Weng3
1Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, College of Biomedical Sciences, National Defense Medical University, Taiwan.
Background:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) commonly co-occurs with psychological distress, including depression and anxiety, but the temporal and bidirectional nature of this relationship remains unclear. Dysregulation of the gut-brain-microbiota axis has been proposed as a shared mechanism.
Methods:
We conducted two retrospective, population-based cohort studies using Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (2000-2015). Cohort 1 assessed the risk of incident IBS among patients with newly diagnosed depression or anxiety, while Cohort 2 evaluated the risk of subsequent depression or anxiety among patients with newly diagnosed IBS. Propensity score matching, multivariable Cox regression, and Fine-Gray competing risk models were applied.
Results:
IBS was associated with increased risks of depression (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.55) and anxiety (aHR = 1.68). Conversely, depression and anxiety were associated with higher risks of developing IBS (aHR = 1.45 and 1.51, respectively). Associations were stronger among females and younger adults aged 18-39 years. Sleep disorders (SDs) showed the strongest modifying effect in both directions (sub-distribution HR ≈ 1.60). Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses.
Conclusions:
This nationwide longitudinal study demonstrates a robust bidirectional association between IBS and psychological distress, supporting integrated screening and multidisciplinary care approaches targeting gut-brain interactions.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
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:
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome III: Medical and Nursing Management
02:20Longitudinal Research
01:26Longitudinal Studies
01:30Introduction to Biological Bases of Psychology
The nervous system, the cornerstone of...