Objective: Psychological factors (e.g., depression, anxiety) are known to contribute to the development and maintenance of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Less is known, however, about the role of positive psychological well-being (PPWB) in IBS. Accordingly, we completed a systematic review of the literature examining relationships between PPWB and clinical characteristics in IBS.
Method: A systematic review using search terms related to PPWB and IBS from inception through July 28, 2022, was completed. Quality was assessed with the NIH Quality Assessment Tool. A narrative synthesis of findings, rather than meta-analysis, was completed due to study heterogeneity.
Results: 22 articles with a total of 4285 participants with IBS met inclusion criteria. Individuals with IBS had lower levels of PPWB (e.g., resilience, positive affect, self-efficacy, emotion regulation) compared to healthy populations, which in turn was associated with reduced physical and mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Limited exploration of potential biological mechanisms underlying these relationships has been described.
Conclusions: PPWB is diminished in individuals with IBS compared to other populations, and greater PPWB is linked to superior physical, psychological, and HRQoL outcomes. Interventions to increase PPWB may have the potential to improve IBS-related outcomes.
Registration: Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews CRD42022304767.
Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest There are no conflicts of interest to declare related to this research. KS has received support from Ironwood and Urovant and has served as a consultant to Anji, Arena, Gelesis, GI Supply, Sanofi, and Shire/Takeda. HBM receives royalties from Oxford University Press for her forthcoming book on rumination syndrome. CMC has received salary support for research from BioXcel Pharmaceuticals and honoraria for talks to Sunovion Pharmaceuticals on topics unrelated to this research. BK has received research support from Medtronic, Gelesis, Takeda, Vanda, and consulting/speaking arrangements with Arena, CinDom, Cin Rx, Medtronic, Entrega, Ironwood, Neurogastrix, Phathom, Serepta, Sigma Wasserman, and Takeda. LK receives consulting fees from Lilly, Takeda, Pfizer, Abbvie, Reckitt Health and Trellus Health, and is a co-founder/equity owner for Trellus Health. There are no other funding sources to declare.
(Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)