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Gender Differences in Gastrointestinal, Psychological, and Somatic Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

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Abstract

In the United States, more women than men seek health-care services for symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A number of explanations are given for this gender difference including the higher rates of somatic non-gastrointestinal symptoms and increased psychological distress reported by women with IBS. However, these gender differences are found in studies that rely on retrospective recall with little attention to age or reproductive status. The purpose of the current analysis was to prospectively compare the frequency (days/month of moderate to severe based on a daily diary) of somatic, gastrointestinal (GI), and psychological distress symptoms, in menstruating women (N = 89) and postmenopausal women (N = 66) to men (N = 32) with IBS. In addition, the correlation between daily symptoms and daily report of overall health was evaluated. Postmenopausal women reported significantly more GI pain/discomfort symptoms, especially bloating and abdominal distension, than men, however these differences are greatly attenuated when age is controlled for. Both postmenopausal and menstruating women reported significantly more somatic symptoms (especially joint pain and muscle pain) than men with IBS. The effect was stronger in postmenopausal women, whose somatic symptoms were also higher than menstruating women (P = 0.014). Fatigue and stress were higher in women than men but anxiety and depression were not. All three types of symptoms were strongly correlated with self-rating of health, both across and within-person. Gender-related differences in GI and somatic symptoms are apparent in persons with IBS, more strongly in postmenopausal women. The presence of somatic symptoms in postmenopausal women with IBS may challenge clinicians to find suitable therapeutic options.

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Abbreviations

IBS:

Irritable bowel syndrome

PMS:

Premenstrual distress

HRT:

Hormone replacement therapy

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants NIH NR01094 and P30 NR04001.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biostatistics and Office for Nursing Research, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Kevin C. Cain

  2. Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Systems, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA

    Monica E. Jarrett, Robert L. Burr, Vicky L. Hertig & Margaret M. Heitkemper

  3. Department of Gastroenterology, Group Health Cooperative, Seattle, WA, USA

    Sheldon Rosen

Authors
  1. Kevin C. Cain
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  2. Monica E. Jarrett
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  3. Robert L. Burr
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  4. Sheldon Rosen
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  6. Margaret M. Heitkemper
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Margaret M. Heitkemper.

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Cain, K.C., Jarrett, M.E., Burr, R.L. et al. Gender Differences in Gastrointestinal, Psychological, and Somatic Symptoms in Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Dig Dis Sci 54, 1542–1549 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-008-0516-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-008-0516-3

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