OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the reported frequency and self-perceived importance of factors related to health care seeking by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients and the effect of reassurance on these factors. METHODS: Fifty-five IBS patients, consulting for the first time, answered a questionnaire designed to evaluate these factors (FRQ), measurements of anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL). A thorough explanation of the disease and reassurance were given, and the FRQ was answered again. RESULTS: The frequency of factors was: pain/discomfort, 78%; cancer fear, 11%; daily function impairment, 33%; symptoms stressfulness, 60%; and none, 2%. Pain/discomfort and symptom stressfulness were considered the most important ones. Cancer fear and symptom stressfulness correlated with anxiety (P=.003, .042), depression (P=.038, .019), and daily function impairment with depression (P=.05). Cancer fear, daily function impairment, and symptom stressfulness impacted on QoL. Reassurance acutely decreased the self-perception of daily function impairment (P=.003), independent of the patient's educational level. CONCLUSIONS: Reassurance during the first consultation for IBS decreased the self-perception of impairment in daily function.
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the reported frequency and self-perceived importance of factors related to health care seeking by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients and the effect of reassurance on these factors. METHODS: Fifty-five IBSpatients, consulting for the first time, answered a questionnaire designed to evaluate these factors (FRQ), measurements of anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL). A thorough explanation of the disease and reassurance were given, and the FRQ was answered again. RESULTS: The frequency of factors was: pain/discomfort, 78%; cancer fear, 11%; daily function impairment, 33%; symptoms stressfulness, 60%; and none, 2%. Pain/discomfort and symptom stressfulness were considered the most important ones. Cancer fear and symptom stressfulness correlated with anxiety (P=.003, .042), depression (P=.038, .019), and daily function impairment with depression (P=.05). Cancer fear, daily function impairment, and symptom stressfulness impacted on QoL. Reassurance acutely decreased the self-perception of daily function impairment (P=.003), independent of the patient's educational level. CONCLUSIONS: Reassurance during the first consultation for IBS decreased the self-perception of impairment in daily function.
Authors: Puja Khanna; Nikhil Agarwal; Dinesh Khanna; Ron D Hays; Lin Chang; Roger Bolus; Gil Melmed; Cynthia B Whitman; Robert M Kaplan; Rikke Ogawa; Bradley Snyder; Brennan Mr Spiegel Journal: Am J Gastroenterol Date: 2013-12-17 Impact factor: 10.864
Authors: Gabriella Seres; Zoltán Kovács; Agota Kovács; Olga Kerékgyártó; Krisztina Sárdi; Pál Demeter; Eszter Mészáros; Ferenc Túry Journal: J Clin Psychol Med Settings Date: 2008-09-30