| Theme | Chronic Constipation : A New Classification, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Treatment | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Psychological Abnormalities, Psychopharmacotherapy, Psychotherapy and Biofeedback in Patients with Chronic Constipation Including Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Predominant Constipation | |
| Publish Date | 2018/04 | |
| Author | Shin Fukudo | Department of Behavioral Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | Psychological abnormalities including anxiety and depression have been identified in approximately 60 % of patients with chronic constipation. Psychometric tests usually show higher scores of negative emotions in patients with chronic constipation than those noted in healthy controls. Irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation is a widely prevalent disease entity that disturbs a patient's quality of life, causes maladjusted behavior in early life and is associated with several comorbidities, such as anxiety and depressive disorders, and somatic symptom disorder. Patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome demonstrate characteristic cognitive patterns that involve catastrophizing and gastrointestinal tract‒specific anxiety. There exists a growing body of scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of antidepressants and psychotherapy for irritable bowel syndrome and biofeedback therapy to manage functional defecation disorders. However, the exact mechanism of action of these evidence‒based therapies remains unknown. Further studies are warranted to develop novel therapies for chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome with predominant constipation. | |