Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in caregivers of patients with chronic diseases

• Published in: Neurogastroenterology and motility 2015-06, Vol.27 (6), p.824-831
• Main Authors: Remes‐Troche, J. M., Torres‐Aguilera, M., Montes‐Martínez, V., Jiménez‐García, V. A., Roesch‐Dietlen, F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anxiety - epidemiology; Anxiety - psychology; caregiver; Caregivers - psychology; Caregivers - statistics & numerical data; chronic; Chronic Disease - nursing; chronically ill; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression - epidemiology; Depression - psychology; Female; Humans; irritable bowel syndrome; Irritable Bowel Syndrome - epidemiology; Irritable Bowel Syndrome - psychology; Male; Middle Aged; overload; Prevalence; Quality of Life; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 1350-1925; 1365-2982
• DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12556

Background Caregivers are an at‐risk population for psychic and physical diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, it is not known whether providing care for the chronically ill patient can be considered a risk factor for developing IBS. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the prevalence of IBS according to the Rome II criteria in a group of caregivers. Methods A cross‐sectional study was conducted through an evaluation of caregivers of chronically ill patients. Subjects completed questionnaires including the Rome II Modular Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZCBI) (an instrument for evaluating the burden experienced by caregivers), and the irritable bowel syndrome quality of life (IBS‐QoL) questionnaire. Key Results Ninety‐six primary caregivers (mean age was 43.6 ± 13.7 years and 87% were women) were evaluated. The mean length of time providing care was 37.6 months (3–288 months). Forty‐seven caregivers (49%) presented with IBS. The caregivers with IBS had higher scores in the global ZCBI score (47 ± 8 vs 28 ± 8, p = 0.001) and on the anxiety and depression scale (p = 0.001) than those that did not have IBS. A total of 72% were diagnosed with caregiver stress syndrome; 42 of them had IBS according to the Rome II questionnaire (60% vs 18%, p = 0.001, relative risk 3.28, 95% CI: 1.4–7.4). Conclusions & Inferences Caregivers of chronically ill patients have a high prevalence of IBS, which is associated with depression, anxiety, and poor QoL. Situations with a high emotional burden, such as sexual abuse and posttraumatic stress disorders have been associated with IBS, and have even been regarded as triggering factors. Recent studies have shown that providing long‐term care for the chronically ill patient can have a negative impact, both mentally and physically, on caregivers. This is the first study showing that caregivers of chronically ill patients have a high prevalence (49%) of IBS, and a greater probability of presenting with depression, anxiety, and a worse quality of life.