Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Is Associated With Irritable Bowel Syndrome in African Americans

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Psychosocial stressors likely play an important role in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The association between IBS and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in non-minorities has been described. Our aim was to investigate the potential association between IBS and PTSD in an urban African American population. METHODS: Our institution maintains a longitudinal population-based survey of African Americans (AA). The survey utilizes a complex, stratified sampling design. The study group consisted of adult AA meeting Rome III criteria for IBS of any subtype. The 4-item Primary Care PTSD screener was administered; score of ≥ 3 (range, 0–4) was considered positive for PTSD. Depression (Public Health Questionnaire-9 depression) and anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder-7) levels were measured using standardized scales. To assess quality of life, norm-based physical and mental component summary scores from the short-form 36 health survey version 2 were obtained. Descriptive and inferential statistics were calculated using Complex Sample Module of SPSS after weighting of the study sample. RESULTS: Four hundred nineteen subjects included corresponded to a weighted 21,264 (95% CI, 19,777–22,751) individuals. The prevalence of IBS in our sample of urban AA was 8.2%. In multivariate regression analysis, female gender, age > 40, higher educational attainment and divorce were independently associated with IBS. Those with IBS were considerably more likely to suffer from PTSD (OR, 4.54; 95% CI, 4.07–5.06). PTSD was independently associated with depression, anxiety, harmful drinking and substance abuse. CONCLUSIONS: In AA, PTSD is independently associated with IBS. PTSD has a significantly negative impact on physical and mental self-assessment of quality of life. Evaluation of minorities presenting with functional gastrointestinal disorders should include screening for PTSD.