Irritable bowel syndrome and dyspepsia among women veterans: prevalence and association with psychological distress

Abstract

Background: The burden of functional GI disorders and their associations with psychological distress in women veterans is unclear.

Aim: To examine 1-year prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and dyspepsia symptoms and their associations with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among women veterans receiving primary care at a Veteran Affairs Medical Center Women's Clinic.

Methods: Irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia and psychological distress were assessed using the validated self-administered Bowel Disorder Questionnaire, the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories, as well as the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Questionnaire.

Results: We enrolled 248 women (84% participation rate). Ninety-three (38%) reported IBS and 51 (21%) dyspepsia symptoms. Women with IBS and dyspepsia reported higher mean scores of anxiety (IBS: 24 vs. 12, P < 0.0005 and dyspepsia: 26 vs. 12, P < 0.0005), depression (IBS: 22 vs. 11, P = 0.0005 and dyspepsia: 23 vs. 11, P < 0.0005) and PTSD (IBS: 87 vs. 69, P < 0.001 and dyspepsia: 86 vs. 69, P < 0.0005). Age- and ethnicity-adjusted logistic regression analyses showed a 3- to 46-fold increase in odds of IBS and dyspepsia among women with anxiety, depression or PTSD.

Conclusion: Women veterans have high prevalence of IBS and dyspepsia symptoms, both of which are highly associated with presence of depression, anxiety and PTSD.