Frequency of Somatic Symptom Disorder and its Association with Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: There are several overlapping physical symptoms that are common amongst GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). These symptoms often become more pronounced, worsening the quality of life. Some studies have described the coexistence of anxiety, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), and Somatic Symptom Disorder (SSD) with FGIDs. However, the prevalence and relationship of SSD to IBS in first-year adult GAD patients remains largely unexplored.

Objective: To assess the prevalence of Somatic Symptom Disorder and to examine the relationship of IBS among 18 to 40 years old GAD patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional study including 180 GAD patients (aged 18-40 years) was done. Participants were selected through non-probability consecutive sampling. The study participants were assessed in accordance with the DSM-5 criteria for the diagnosis of GAD. The 8-item Somatic Symptom Scale (SSS-8) was used to assess the burden of somatic symptoms, and the Rome IV criteria for IBS were used for its assessment. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the demographic and clinical data. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 26.0. Frequencies and percentages were used for the analysis of categorical variables. The association of SSD and IBS was assessed using the chi-square test. A p-value of less than 0.05 was interpreted as statistically significant.

Results: Of the 180 participants, 78 (43.3 %) participants had significant somatic symptom burden as classified as SSD. 56 (31.1%) participants also fulfilled the criteria for IBS as defined by the Rome IV criteria. Among those with IBS, the burden of somatic symptoms was higher at 64.3 %, whereas among those without IBS, the burden was 33.9 % Participants with IBS had a significant burden of somatic symptoms compared with those without IBS (χ² = 15.13, p < 0.001). Somatic symptom burden was more observed among women than men, though this was not significant (p = 0.074).

Conclusion: Among adults aged 18 to 40 with newly diagnosed GAD, a high prevalence of somatic symptom burden and IBS were observed. There was a significant burden of somatic symptoms for GAD patients and the need to address psychological and gastrointestinal symptoms.