Anxiety and depression are frequently present in patients with different types of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID), and seem to play a major part in both the perception of symptoms and the outcome of treatment.

The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate levels of anxiety and depression in adult patients according to the extent and the type of FGID.

Three hundred and eighty-five consecutive patients (72% female) were evaluated. Each patient filled a standard clinical questionnaire based on diagnostic questions for uro-genital complaints and for FGID according to the Rome III criteria. In addition, they indicated on a 10-cm visual analog scale (VAS) the intensity of constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain, and stool description using the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Anxiety and depression were evaluated using Beck Depression Inventory and Anxiety State and Trait Anxiety Inventory.

In FGID patients, levels of depression, state and trait anxiety are higher in patients with several sites of complaint. Females are more depressed than males, regardless of the level of FGID. Females tend to react emotionally to stress with a lot of anxiety (“state” anxiety), as well as in the long run (“trait” anxiety). VAS parameters for constipation, bloating and abdominal pain were related to psychological scores in contrast to VAS diarrhea and stool form. In males, the extent of sites of FGID was strongly related to trait anxiety. In females, it was strongly related to depression.

Different types of FGID are associated with depression and anxiety according to the number of sites of complaints linked to gender and psychological parameters, as well as the magnitude of complaint expressed by the VAS.