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Multicenter Study
. 2008 Aug 15;28(4):484-90.
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03759.x. Epub 2008 Jun 9.

Relationship between rectal sensitivity, symptoms intensity and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

J-M Sabate  1 , M Veyrac, F Mion, L Siproudhis, P Ducrotte, F Zerbib, J-C Grimaud, M Dapoigny, F Dyard, B Coffin
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Relationship between rectal sensitivity, symptoms intensity and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

J-M Sabate et al. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. .

Abstract

Background: Relationships between pain threshold during rectal distension and both symptoms intensity and alteration in quality of life (QoL) in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients have been poorly evaluated.

Aim: To evaluate relationships between rectal sensitivity, IBS symptom intensity and QoL in a multicentre prospective study.

Methods: Rectal threshold for moderate pain was measured during rectal distension in IBS patients (Rome II), while IBS symptoms intensity was assessed by a validated questionnaire and QoL by the Functional Digestive Disorder Quality of Life questionnaire.

Results: Sixty-eight patients (44.2 +/- 12.7 years, 48 women) were included. The mean rectal distending volume for moderate pain was 127 +/- 35 mL while 45 patients (66%) had rectal hypersensitivity (pain threshold <140 mL). Rectal threshold was not significantly related either to overall IBS intensity score (r = -0.66, P = 0.62) or to its different components, or to FDDQL score (r = 0.30, P = 0.14). Among FDDQL domains, only anxiety (r = 0.30, P = 0.01) and coping (r = 0.31, P = 0.009) were significantly related with pain threshold.

Conclusions: In this study, two-thirds of IBS patients exhibited rectal hypersensitivity. No significant correlation was found between rectal threshold and either symptom intensity or alteration in QoL.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Global and specific values of the FDDQL in the total IBS group, in the IBS hypersensitive group and in the IBS normosensitive group. Differences were not significant.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Relationship between Moderate pain threshold and the “coping with disease domain” of the FDDQL score. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.31, P = 0.009)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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