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International Journal of Colorectal Disease

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01-09-2013 | Original Article

Neuroendocrine markers and psychological features in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Authors: Cristina Stasi, Massimo Bellini, Francesco Costa, Maria Gloria Mumolo, Angelo Ricchiuti, Mariano Grosso, Emiliano Duranti, Maria Rosaria Metelli, Dario Gambaccini, Lea Bianchi, Gian Luca Di Tanna, Giacomo Laffi, Stefano Taddei, Santino Marchi

Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease | Issue 9/2013

Abstract

Background and aims

The key role of the brain-gut axis in the pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been recognized. The aim of this study was to assess the possible association between IBS, neuroendocrine markers, and psychological features.

Methods

One hundred and twenty-five consecutive IBS patients and 105 healthy subjects were enrolled. Plasma serotonin, plasma and urinary cortisol, and plasma neuropeptide Y levels were evaluated. All patients were given a questionnaire to assess IBS symptom severity. In 66 patients, a psychodiagnostic assessment was carried out.

Results

A high incidence of specific psychological features, including state anxiety (69.69 %), trait anxiety (54.54 %), obsessions and compulsions (28.78 %), was observed in IBS patients. A positive correlation between neuropeptide Y and state anxiety (r = 0.287, p = 0.024) and simulation/social ingenuity (r = 0.269, p = 0.039) was found in these patients. In diarrhea-predominant IBS, plasma cortisol was linearly related to plasma serotonin (r = 0.5663, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

In IBS patients, a significant correlation was found between specific psychological features and neuroendocrine markers, especially plasma cortisol and neuropeptide Y; in diarrhea-predominant IBS, a correlation between plasma cortisol and serotonin was found, although it needs to be confirmed in more extensive cohorts.

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Title: Neuroendocrine markers and psychological features in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Cristina Stasi
Massimo Bellini
Francesco Costa
Maria Gloria Mumolo
Angelo Ricchiuti
Mariano Grosso
Emiliano Duranti
Maria Rosaria Metelli
Dario Gambaccini
Lea Bianchi
Gian Luca Di Tanna
Giacomo Laffi
Stefano Taddei
Santino Marchi
Publication date: 01-09-2013
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: International Journal of Colorectal Disease / Issue 9/2013
Print ISSN: 0179-1958
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1262
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-013-1646-4

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Neuroendocrine markers and psychological features in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

Background and aims

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background and aims

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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