Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

  Background and Objectives : Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a bowel dysfunction. Given that psychological variables play a decisive role in creating and maintaining the physical condition of the patients, the purpose of this study was designed to investigate and compare the rates of depression in patients with IBS and healthy ones.

  Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 patients with IBS and 100 healthy patients who referred to Internists Offices participated in this study. After collecting demographic data and completing the Beck Depression Inventory (Beck), clinical psychiatric interview about them was done. Then, the information collected for statistical tests were analyzed with SPSS software and t-test, chi-square and one-way analysis.

  Results : From the total of 100 patients, 38 males and 62 females were allocated in both case and control groups, The present study showed that the severity and prevalence of depression in patients with IBS was more than in the common population (p= 0.037), and depression was higher in more educated patients, older age, long duration of illness, and also in governmental personnel and university students.

  But in healthy group, in those who were low educated, older age, and among housewives the rate of depression was higher. In both groups, sex factor did not have prominent role.

  Conclusion: The results showed that depression in patients with IBS is more severe and prevalent than in healthy individuals. Therefore, in treatment of patients with depression special attention should be paid to the severity and prevalence of depression.

  Keywords: Irritable bowel syndrome  depression Rafsanjan

  Funding: This study did not have any funds.

  Conflict of interest : None declared.

  Ethical approval: The Ethics Committee of Kharazmi University of Kharazmi approved the study.

  How to cite this article : Mirzaei V, Sayadi AR, Bakhshi H, Hasani Moghadam V. Comparison of Depression in Patients with Irritable bowel Syndrome and Healthy Patients Referring to Internists Offices in the City of Rafsanjan in Summer 2011 . J Rafsanjan Univ Med Scie 2012 11(3): 259-68. [Farsi]