Psychological disorders in patients with chronic constipation

AIM The aim of present study was to screen two categories of psychiatric disorders in chronic functional constipation. BACKGROUND It has been established that the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders among patients with functional gastrointestinal disorders is higher than in the general population. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty four constipated patients were recruited from patients referred to the motility disorder department of Research Center for Gastroentrology and Liver Diseases, and screened for psychiatric disorders using HADS (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and MINI (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview). RESULTS The results showed a relatively high prevalence of anxiety and depression both in HADS (33.3% and 22.2% respectively) and MINI (33.3% and 31.5% respectively). CONCLUSION Based on our results the prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders in constipated patients is much higher than general population and in order to reduce health care costs for constipated patients, we need to have an intervention program for comorbid psychological dysfunctions which affect the course of gastrointestinal disorders.