Preliminary Investigation of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction and Their Associations With Psychological Flexibility
Lin Yu1, Kitty Kioskli2, Alice Sibelli3
1Department of Psychology, Middlesex University, London, UK.
Background:
A substantial proportion of people with fibromyalgia also experience comorbid disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs), which can lead to considerable personal and societal burdens. However, evidence regarding the implications of this comorbidity remains limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of DGBIs in fibromyalgia, potential consequences for people when this happens, and a process called psychological flexibility (PF) that might help.
Methods:
395 adults with fibromyalgia completed an online survey and were included in the analyses. Analyses included group comparisons, correlations, and mediation models.
Results:
79.2% of the participants reported having at least one DGBI. Participants with multiple DGBIs reported significantly worse daily functioning compared with those without any DGBI. More severe gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were correlated with more severe depression and worse daily functioning (r = 0.41 to 0.56, p < 0.001). PF statistically mitigated the relationship between GI symptom severity and depression and daily functioning (b = 0.05-0.13).
Conclusions:
While people with comorbid fibromyalgia and DGBIs report worse functioning, PF appears to modestly buffer the relationship between DGBI symptom severity and mood and daily functioning. Therefore, treatments that target PF, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), may help address the challenges faced by this population. Longitudinal studies with experimental designs are needed to further explore the mediating role of PF and the utility of related treatments for this population.
Significance Statement:
This study investigates disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) in relation to psychological flexibility and functioning in people with fibromyalgia, and the prevalence of DGBIs in fibromyalgia in a large community sample. The findings show a high rate of co-occurring DGBIs and fibromyalgia. While the size of the effect was limited, psychological flexibility appears to act as a buffer in the relationship between symptom severity and functioning, suggesting that interventions targeting psychological flexibility may provide benefits for co-occurring conditions.
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