Abstract

Central sensitization has been suggested as an explanation of the wide range of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms commonly seen in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). In this study, the presence and level of central sensitization, and its association to gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms were explored in IBS in comparison with control groups. We investigated patients with IBS (n=215), chronic pain disorders (n=36), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (n=40) and volunteers without chronic diseases (n=112). The Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) was translated and validated in Swedish and used together with the Highly Sensitive Person (HSP) scale to measure the presence and level of central sensitization. Furthermore, severity of GI symptoms (GSRS-IBS and IBS-SSS), and anxiety and depression (HAD) were determined. The Swedish translation of CSI demonstrated excellent validity. Central sensitization, defined by validated cut-off levels for CSI and HSP, was common in the whole cohort (40% and 28%) and in IBS (57% and 35%). Study participants with central sensitization had more severe GI symptoms, anxiety and depression, than participants without central sensitization. Strong associations were seen between CSI and GI symptom severity in the whole cohort (GSRS-IBS: partial η2 =0.455, p<0.001; IBS-SSS: partial η2 =0.408, p<0.001), with decreasing strength in patients with chronic pain, IBD, IBS, and volunteers. Central sensitization was common in IBS and associated with GI symptom severity, but with stronger associations in chronic pain disorders and IBD. This implies that other mechanisms may be of equal or greater importance for GI symptom severity in IBS.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call