Psychological Distress and Impaired Quality of Life Common among Community-Dwelling Adults with Lower Gastrointestinal Disorders

Abstract

This study examines the comparison of psychological well-being and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between adults with and without lower gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and between adults with lower GI disorders and those with other common chronic illnesses. Data of adults aged 18 years or older from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (n=29,828) were analyzed. Approximately 5.4% of survey participants reported they had been told by a physician that they had lower GI disorders. Those reporting lower GI disorders were 1.8 times more likely to meet the criteria for serious mental illness (SMI) and were significantly more likely to report impaired HRQOL than those without GI disorders. In addition, those with lower GI disorders were significantly more likely than those with heart disease and diabetes and equally as likely as those with arthritis and asthma to meet the criteria for SMI. Because psychological comorbidity is common among adults with lower GI disorders and may complicate their course and treatment, clinicians should consider screening patients presenting with lower GI disorders for these comorbid conditions.