Aetiology: Psychological Factors

AETIOLOGY: PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS The authors mention that significant psychological symptoms prevail in IBS, particularly among patients referred to gastroenterology clinics. It is true that studies have shown that 54%–94% of patients seen in tertiary referral centres meet the criteria for at least one primary psychiatric disorder. However, only 25%–30% of patients with IBS actually seek care, and of those, fewer than 1% are referred to specialists. 4 One study estimates that, in the community setting, the percentage of IBS patients with comorbid psychiatric disturbances is approximately 18%. Furthermore, psychiatric disorders have not been shown to be pathogenic for IBS.