Psychiatry Research EG

Twenty three consecutive Arab out-patients residing in Qatar with irritable bowel syndrome (I.B.S.) were psychologically, socially and biologically tested. Most patients were referred by Gastroenterologist and met all the diagnostic criteria of I.B.S . An objective personality test, the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (M.M.P.I.) was administered in the Arabic Language. Eleven patients (48%) showed Hysterionic and depressive features. Six patient showed depressive features only (26%). One patient showed features of mild depression and lying. One patient showed psychopathic features. One patient showed features of schizoid, depressive and psychopathic personality. Two patients failed to do the test. Dexamethasone suppression test (D.S.T.) was applied on 21 patients. In all subjects the cortisol level was suppressed i.e. not significantly higher than 50 nano grams per ml. Social analysis using direct interview with a social worker was administered. Fourteen patients were subjected to stressful life events, 11 out of them (78,5%), had marital and/or family psychosocial problems. Five of all patients (22%) their main social problem was being away from family and residing alone in Qatar. Four of all patients (17%) showed occupational stress and dissatisfaction. Six patients (26%) showed no stressful life events. Control : 80 subjects were investigated, 46% showed abdominal symptoms and 59% showed anxiety and tension symptoms. Treatment modalities included individual and group psychotherapy, family therapy, relaxation training and hypnosis trans – cutaneous nerve and stimulation and tricyclic antidepressants for a short period. Eight patients 35% showed complete recovery. Four patients (17%) showed good recovery. Four patients (17%) moderate recovery. Three patients showed good response to antidepressants and hypnorelaxation. Three patients (13%) did not respond to treatment. To conclude ; there is an evidence of personality profile mainly characterised by depressive and hysterionic traits associated with stressful life events. There was no evidence of a biological marker of depression (D.S.T.) An electic therapeutic approach is beneficial to the majority of patients inspite of inability for environment manipulation.