Frequency of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Perceived Stress, and Mental Health Among Women

서울·경인지역사회 성인여성의 과민성 장 증후군 빈도와 스트레스, 정신 건강에 관한 연구

Purpose: This study was performed to examine the frequency of irritable bowel syndrome(IBS), perceived stress, and mental health among community-dwelling women. Methods: This study conducted a survey to collect data on 869 women in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. The measurements included the Rome III criteria(to diagnose IBS), the Global Assessment Recent Stress(GARS scale to evaluate perceived stress), and symptom check list 90R(SCL-90R to evaluate psychological distress). Data were analyzed using SPSS 15.0 program by frequency, $x^2$-tests, t-test, and analysis of variance(ANOVA). Results: The frequency of IBS in women was 15.1%. Eighty-six women(65.6%) had mixed constipation and diarrhea subtype of IBS. Compared to the women without IBS, those with IBS reported significantly higher scores on GARS, all subscales of GARS, SCL-90R, all subscales of SCL-90R, and the global severity index(GSI). No significant differences were observed among stress, mental health, and the IBS subtypes. Conclusion: Nursing interventions targeting women with IBS should be developed in order to reduce the associated stress and psychological distress.