The following is a summary of “Satisfaction With Life in IBS Is Associated With Psychological Burden Rather than Gastrointestinal Symptom Severity,” published in the March 2024 issue of Gastroenterology by Snijkers, et al.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) significantly impacts various aspects of life, including emotional, social, and professional spheres. For a study, researchers sought to assess general life satisfaction, a subjective measure of well-being, among individuals with IBS, and to determine the factors associated with higher life satisfaction.

A total of 195 IBS patients (mean age 51.4 ± 16.5 years, 73.8% female) from primary and secondary/tertiary care settings completed questionnaires assessing gastrointestinal symptoms, quality of life, psychological factors, and life satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale, comprising 5 items with a range of 5–35). A finite mixture model analysis was employed to identify latent classes. Multivariable linear regression was utilized to ascertain variables associated with life satisfaction.

Overall, 71.3% of the patients reported satisfaction with their life (Satisfaction With Life Scale-score ≥21). Three latent subgroups were identified, with the subgroup characterized by higher mental quality of life, fewer anxiety and depressive symptoms, lower gastrointestinal-specific anxiety, and lower gastrointestinal symptom severity demonstrating significantly higher life satisfaction than the other two groups. Multivariable linear regression revealed that higher physical quality of life (B0.168, P < 0.001) and higher mental quality of life (B0.199, P < 0.001) were independently associated with greater life satisfaction. However, based on multivariable regression analysis, gastrointestinal symptom severity did not show a significant association with life satisfaction.

In individuals with IBS, higher physical and mental quality of life, rather than gastrointestinal symptom severity, were identified as independent factors linked to greater general life satisfaction. The findings underscored the importance of addressing the holistic impact of IBS in treatment approaches, emphasizing gastrointestinal symptom management and overall well-being improvement.

Reference: journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2024/03000/satisfaction_with_life_in_ibs_is_associated_with.24.aspx