Symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome

In a consecutive study of 101 patients with IBS and at least one year of complaints, the presence of somatic and mental symptoms were measured. By definition all patients had abdominal pain and/or disturbed bowel function in the absence of organic disease. The most prominent symptom of indigestion was abdominal distension. Many patients also had complaints of food intolerance and avoided bulk forming agents such as fruits and vegetables. Symptoms associated with the upper gastrointestinal tract such as burning sensations in the epigastrium nausea and acid regurgitation were seen in a majority of the patients. Mental symptoms were seen in almost all patients. A majority had complaints of inner tension, worrying over trifles, autonomic disturbances and muscular tension. Symptoms referred to the neurasthenic syndrome were also frequently seen, such as fatiguability and irritable and hostile feelings. Common depression symptoms were sadness and feelings of helplessness. Other mental symptoms of importance were phobias, sleep disturbances, reduced sexual interest, loss of appetite and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. Our conclusion is that patients with IBS frequently have upper gastrointestinal and mental symptoms which should be taken into account searching for more rational methods of treatment.