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Irritable bowel-type symptoms in HMO examinees

Prevalence, demographics, and clinical correlates

Digestive Diseases and Sciences volume 38, pages 1581–1589 (1993)Cite this article

Abstract

A study of irritable bowel-type symptoms in 1264 health examinees using a selfadministered questionnaire and psychological tests revealed they are common throughout adulthood. Of affected subjects 68% were female, and those with the more severe type (≥3 Manning criteria) were-predominantly female (80%). Fewer Asians than other racial/ethnic groups had these symptoms. Nongastrointestinal symptoms, physician visits, incontinence, laxative use, a stress effect on bowel pattern and abdominal pain, abdominal surgery, hysterectomy, childhood abuse, use of mind-altering drugs, depression, and anxiety were correlated with irritable bowel-type symptoms. Regression analysis found some of the clinical correlates were independent markers for irritable bowel-type symptoms and that sexual abuse was related to nongastrointestinal symptoms and abdominal surgery independent of irritable bowel-type symptoms. More severe irritable bowel-type symptoms were especially associated with nongastrointestinal symptoms, stress effects, sexual abuse, use of sedatives and oral narcotics, and a past alcohol problem. There are important demographic and clinical correlates with irritable bowel-type symptoms.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, 4647 Zion Avenue, 92120, San Diego, California

    George F. Longstreth MD & Girma Wolde-Tsadik PhD

  2. Department of Research and Evaluation, Southern California Permanente Medical Group, 100 S. Los Robles St., Pasadena, California

    George F. Longstreth MD & Girma Wolde-Tsadik PhD

Authors
  1. George F. Longstreth MD
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  2. Girma Wolde-Tsadik PhD
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Longstreth, G.F., Wolde-Tsadik, G. Irritable bowel-type symptoms in HMO examinees. Digest Dis Sci 38, 1581–1589 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01303163

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01303163

Key Words

  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • sexual abuse
  • depression
  • anxiety
  • drug use
  • alcohol