Scientists Identify Connection Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Anxiety Disorders

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a digestive system illness where people with the condition suffer from bouts of unexpected diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation, bloating, and abnormal bowel habits. These symptoms are usually mild to moderate, but they can be so intense sometimes that they affect the quality of life of some sufferers. When symptoms are severe, people can experience abdominal pain, headaches, and anxiety.

Stomach Pain

Stomach Pain

Also, research indicates that IBS may run in families and that individuals with anxiety are more likely to develop it than those without anxiety.

Scientists have found that when someone experiences both IBS and psychological symptoms, either condition can appear first: IBS precedes psychological symptoms in about 67% of cases, while the reverse happens 33% of the time. Regardless of which comes first, there seems to be a genetic link connecting the two.

Read Also: Removing Biofilm from the Intestines Could Cure Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Anxiety and IBS are related

In a study, a research team led by Dr. Chris Ejisbouts, a geneticist at the University of Oxford, analyzed the genetic makeup of over 40,000 individuals who had been diagnosed with IBS. They were also compared with people who didn’t have the disease. The genetic information they obtained was from the UK Biobank, which is a place to get data and information about risk factors for diseases and health events.

The results show that neural circuits play a big part in how IBS develops. They found six genes, that were more common in people with IBS than in people who didn’t have the condition. Also, most of the altered genes they found were linked to the brain and did not have independent functions just in the gut.

Read Also: IBS and Other Inflammatory Bowel Conditions Possibly Related to Mucus Production

They discovered that IBS showed the strongest genetic overlap with psychological manifestations like depression, anxiety, insomnia, and schizophrenia. However, they couldn’t confirm if anxiety leads to IBS and vice versa.

Interestingly, after analyzing familial tendencies among the participants, the researchers found that genetics played a smaller role than previously believed. Their thorough investigation concluded that environmental factors such as stress, dietary habits, and behavior are more significant contributors to IBS.

Results also revealed that people who were exposed to many antibiotics in childhood frequently develop anxiety and IBS. The researchers also suggested that anxiety during childhood might have led to increased antibiotic use by parents.

Clinical significance

Treatments for IBS include a modified dietary pattern, increased physical activity, psychological therapy, and some medications that relieve symptoms. Knowing the genetic involvement could pave the way for them to be used as targets of pharmacological therapies. Various drug therapies can be formulated to target different aspects of the genetic pathways responsible for IBS.

Read Also: IBS: How to Treat the Diarrhea, Bloating, Flatulence and Abdominal Pain

Conclusion

We expect that future research and analysis will support these conclusions and make way for more discoveries involving brain-gut interactions. Exploring the genetic factors involved in IBS has been hard to crack, and we are glad that there is some light at the end of the tunnel. With the future discoveries that will be made, patients with IBS can have a better quality of life.

FAQ Section: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Q: What are the main symptoms of IBS?
A: Common symptoms include stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and abnormal bowel habits. Severity ranges from mild discomfort to life-disrupting intensity.

Q: Is IBS hereditary?
A: While genetics play a role, familial tendencies are weaker than previously thought. Environmental factors like stress, diet, and behavior are more influential.

Q: How are anxiety and IBS connected?
A: Shared genetic pathways link IBS and psychological conditions like anxiety. In 67% of cases, IBS precedes psychological symptoms, but causation remains unclear.

Q: What did the Oxford study discover about IBS genetics?
A: Six genes linked to IBS were identified, primarily affecting brain function and neural circuits. These genes overlap with those involved in anxiety, depression, and insomnia.

Q: Can childhood antibiotics increase IBS risk?
A: Yes. Frequent antibiotic use in childhood correlates with higher IBS and anxiety rates. Researchers suggest anxious children may prompt parental antibiotic overuse.

Q: What treatments help manage IBS?
A: Options include dietary adjustments, exercise, psychological therapy, and medications. Future therapies may target genetic pathways for better symptom control.

Q: Do lifestyle factors influence IBS?
A: Yes. Stress, dietary habits, and behavior significantly impact IBS development and severity, often outweighing genetic predisposition.

Q: Are there new genetic-based IBS treatments?
A: Research is exploring therapies targeting genetic pathways in brain-gut interactions, which could revolutionize IBS management.

Q: What is the brain-gut axis in IBS?
A: It refers to communication between the brain and gut. Disruptions here may explain IBS symptoms and their overlap with psychological conditions.

Q: Should I get genetic testing for IBS?
A: Currently not recommended. Environmental factors dominate IBS risk. Prioritize lifestyle changes and consult a healthcare provider for tailored advice.

References

Eijsbouts, C., Zheng, T., Kennedy, N. A., Bonfiglio, F., Anderson, C. A., Moutsianas, L., Holliday, J., Shi, J., Shringarpure, S., Voda, A. I., Farrugia, G., Franke, A., Hübenthal, M., Abecasis, G., Zawistowski, M., Skogholt, A. H., Ness-Jensen, E., Hveem, K., Esko, T.,… Parkes, M. (2021, November 5). Genome-wide analysis of 53,400 people with irritable bowel syndrome highlights shared genetic pathways with mood and anxiety disorders. Nature Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-021-00950-8

FEEDBACK:

Want to live your best life?

Get the Gilmore Health Weekly newsletter for health tips, wellness updates and more.

By clicking "Subscribe," I agree to the Gilmore Health and . I also agree to receive emails from Gilmore Health and I understand that I may opt out of Gilmore Health subscriptions at any time.