[Irritable bowel syndrome: the challenge to psychosomatic and internal medical specialists to collaborate closely]

MMW Fortschr Med. 2004 Jul 22;146(29-30):24, 26-8.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The irritable bowel syndrome is a ubiquitous disease that usually exhibits a close affinity to the group of somatoform disorders. Chronic cases in particular often suffer from psychological disturbances, and consult numerous different medical, mainly internistic-gastroenterological, treatment centers, not infrequently with no lasting success. Although the importance of gastroenterological pathophysiological aspects is beyond doubt, an early interdisciplinary diagnostic work-up--with explicit involvement of the psychosomatic-psychotherapeutic specialty--is urgently recommended. Against the background of moderate concomitant medication, a psychosomatic-psychotherapeutic treatment regimen has proven successful.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cholinergic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome* / drug therapy
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome* / physiopathology
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome* / psychology
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome* / therapy
  • Parasympatholytics / therapeutic use
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychotherapy
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents
  • Cholinergic Antagonists
  • Parasympatholytics