Sexual function, depression, and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Abstract Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, often accompanied by depression and sexual dysfunction. Depression and IBS may share similar pathophysiological mechanisms, making it essential to understand them for effective t...
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BMC
2025-07-01
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| Series: | BMC Gastroenterology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-04102-8 |
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| author | Amir Keshavarzi Seyed Saman Talebi Mohammad Ahmadpanah Alireza Soltanian Saman Torkashvand |
| author_facet | Amir Keshavarzi Seyed Saman Talebi Mohammad Ahmadpanah Alireza Soltanian Saman Torkashvand |
| author_sort | Amir Keshavarzi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, often accompanied by depression and sexual dysfunction. Depression and IBS may share similar pathophysiological mechanisms, making it essential to understand them for effective treatment. This study aims to compare the state of sexual function, depression, and quality of life in IBS patients experiencing depression with that of healthy subjects. Methods In this cross-sectional study, three groups of 49 individuals each were included: patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), patients with depression without symptoms of IBS, and healthy individuals attending university internal clinics in Hamedan city. All patients were sexually active. Quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire, depression severity was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), female sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and male sexual function was assessed using the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ). Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and analysis of variance. Results The study compared depression scores, quality of life, and sexual performance among three groups: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients, patients with depression, and a control group. Results showed that depression scores were significantly higher in the IBS and depression groups compared to the control group. Quality of life scores did not significantly differ between IBS and depression groups but were lower in both compared to the control group. Sexual performance, both in men and women, differed significantly across all groups. The relationship between quality of life and depression in IBS patients was inverse (r=-0.71, P = 0.001), while depression negatively correlated with sexual performance in men (r=-0.550, P = 0.001). Conversely, higher quality of life and better sexual performance showed a positive relationship in men (r = 0.335, P < 0.001). Based on the findings of the current study, it could be said that depression is significantly higher in IBS patients and depression is not the only intervening factor in the low sexual quality of IBS patients. Other factors such as physiological symptoms, medication side effects, and psychological stressors also contribute to causing sexual dysfunction in these IBS patients. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-50fe1fede4d143b78aac72b75fdb49a2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-230X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Gastroenterology |
| spelling | doaj-art-50fe1fede4d143b78aac72b75fdb49a22025-08-20T03:45:52ZengBMCBMC Gastroenterology1471-230X2025-07-012511810.1186/s12876-025-04102-8Sexual function, depression, and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndromeAmir Keshavarzi0Seyed Saman Talebi1Mohammad Ahmadpanah2Alireza Soltanian3Saman Torkashvand4Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Behavioral Disorders and Substance Abuse Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Clinical Research Development Unit of Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Hamadan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Behavioral Disorders and Substance Abuse Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Sina (Farshchian) Educational and Medical Cente, Hamadan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Biostatistics, School of Health, Modeling of Noncommunicable Diseases Research Center, Institute of Health Sciences and Technology, Hamadan University of Medical SciencesHamadan University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a prevalent functional disorder of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, often accompanied by depression and sexual dysfunction. Depression and IBS may share similar pathophysiological mechanisms, making it essential to understand them for effective treatment. This study aims to compare the state of sexual function, depression, and quality of life in IBS patients experiencing depression with that of healthy subjects. Methods In this cross-sectional study, three groups of 49 individuals each were included: patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), patients with depression without symptoms of IBS, and healthy individuals attending university internal clinics in Hamedan city. All patients were sexually active. Quality of life was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire, depression severity was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), female sexual function was evaluated using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), and male sexual function was assessed using the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ). Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and analysis of variance. Results The study compared depression scores, quality of life, and sexual performance among three groups: irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients, patients with depression, and a control group. Results showed that depression scores were significantly higher in the IBS and depression groups compared to the control group. Quality of life scores did not significantly differ between IBS and depression groups but were lower in both compared to the control group. Sexual performance, both in men and women, differed significantly across all groups. The relationship between quality of life and depression in IBS patients was inverse (r=-0.71, P = 0.001), while depression negatively correlated with sexual performance in men (r=-0.550, P = 0.001). Conversely, higher quality of life and better sexual performance showed a positive relationship in men (r = 0.335, P < 0.001). Based on the findings of the current study, it could be said that depression is significantly higher in IBS patients and depression is not the only intervening factor in the low sexual quality of IBS patients. Other factors such as physiological symptoms, medication side effects, and psychological stressors also contribute to causing sexual dysfunction in these IBS patients.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-04102-8Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)DepressionSexual functionQuality of life |
| spellingShingle | Amir Keshavarzi Seyed Saman Talebi Mohammad Ahmadpanah Alireza Soltanian Saman Torkashvand Sexual function, depression, and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome BMC Gastroenterology Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Depression Sexual function Quality of life |
| title | Sexual function, depression, and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome |
| title_full | Sexual function, depression, and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome |
| title_fullStr | Sexual function, depression, and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sexual function, depression, and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome |
| title_short | Sexual function, depression, and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome |
| title_sort | sexual function depression and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome |
| topic | Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Depression Sexual function Quality of life |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-04102-8 |
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