Symptom Comparisons Between Asian American and White American Women With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract

There is little information on racial/ethnic characteristics of patients with irritable bowel syndrome. In this study, we determined whether the severity of symptoms (gastrointestinal, psychological distress), cognitive beliefs about irritable bowel syndrome, and life impacts (life interference, health-related quality of life) differ between Asian American and White American women with irritable bowel syndrome. We also look at the relationships among these variables. Asian American women (N = 21) and age- and design-matched White American women (N = 63) with irritable bowel syndrome were included. Data were collected from questionnaires and a 28-day daily diary (e.g., abdominal pain, depression). The percent of days with moderate/severe abdominal pain and psychological distress were significantly higher, and constipation- and diarrhea-dominant bowel pattern subtypes were prevalent in White Americans as compared with Asian Americans. Positive relationships of gastrointestinal symptoms with psychological distress, and of gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms with negative cognitive beliefs and negative life impact, were observed in White Americans. Further studies to evaluate contributing (e.g., cultural-environmental, pathophysiological, diet) factors of symptom characteristics in Asian Americans are suggested. Our study provides useful information for healthcare providers to understand symptoms and cultural factors and the potential for culturally tailored symptom management for this patient group.

Postmenopausal women with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have more severe symptoms than premenopausal women with IBS

“…Despite no significant differences in abdominal pain and bloating, we cannot rule out that sex hormone changes during the transition to menopause are contributing to differences in overall symptom severity. It should be noted that IBS symptom severity is a global measure that encompasses biopsychosocial factors, possible cultural or racial factors, 59 resource utilization, disease burden, and the individual symptoms of abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits 60 . We previously demonstrated that overall IBS symptom severity is related to, but distinct from, HRQOL and is predicted by both GI and extraintestinal symptoms and disease‐specific concerns 45 .…”

Cluster Analysis on Gastrointestinal Symptoms during Menopausal Transition

“…The findings that Asians had significantly lower total numbers and lower total severity scores of the total, primary, and/or secondary symptoms than other racial/ethnic groups in Clusters 1 and 2 agree with those reported about Asian women’s general menopausal symptoms and general GI symptoms. The literature has consistently indicated that Asian women tended to be less likely to experience psychological, physical, and psychosomatic symptoms due to their menopausal transition than other racial/ethnic groups (Chuah & Mahadeva, 2018; Han et al, 2018; Stake-Nilsson et al, 2013). Moreover, the literature has indicated that Asians are generally less likely to experience GI symptoms (e.g., moderate/severe abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea dominant bowel patterns) than Whites (Han et al, 2018).…”

Inclusive Clinical Trials for Disorders of Gut–Brain Interactions

“…The overall IBS symptom severity did not differ, but the reporting of abdominal pain and psychological distress was higher in White compared with Asian American patients, whereas bloating was strongly associated with daily stress in Asian American patients. 14 Another study demonstrated higher perceived stress among White patients with IBS compared with people from racial and ethnic minority groups. 15 IBS, one of the most common DGBI, requires the presence of both abdominal pain and bowel dysfunction.…”