O63 Gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety and symptom severity in irritable bowel syndrome: new insights from factor analysis

Introduction Gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety and somatisation have both been associated with higher symptom severity in patients irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the relationship between these two factors IBS has not explored fully. In addition, performance of instrument that measures gastrointestinal anxiety, visceral sensitivity index (VSI), examined a UK population. We conducted cross-sectional survey to examine issues. Methods measured levels using VSI, via patient health questionnaire-12 (PHQ-12), as well adult subjects from community Rome IV-defined IBS. carried out exploratory factor analysis on prior subsequent analyses, establish its structure. multiple regression determine demographic features, different somatisation, severity. Results 811 individuals provided complete data. The mean age was 47.4 years, 85.9% were female. Factor VSI revealed three-factor structure, accounting for 47% variance. Three items loaded onto one concerned awareness abdominal discomfort worry about symptoms. Items fear symptoms caused by serious underlying illness. loading three context new experiences, example trying foods or having access toilets places someone hasn’t visited before. Both PHQ-12 strongly independently severity, group whole (p < 0.001), all four subtypes. significantly Of note, most overt Conclusions structure requires further investigation. Our findings cast doubt central role driver Awareness extra-intestinal symptoms, however, is