1,000 women who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome and other inflammatory bowel problems are being sought by researchers in Galway to take part in research into the conditions.
The researchers at the School of Psychology at NUI Galway aim to establish what psychological factors improve or worsen the symptoms of Crohn's disease or Colitis.
The online study will require the participants to answer questions related to physical symptoms they experience, and how irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease affects their quality of life in physical, emotional and social domains.
They will also be asked to answer questions related to their relationships with certain people in their lives and whether they experience common symptoms of stress, depression or anxiety.
Experienced by 15-20% of people here, irritable bowel syndrome involves having experienced abdominal pain or discomfort at least three times a month for the last three months.
These symptoms must also be accompanied by two or more of changes in defecation habit, onset associated with a change in frequency of stool or onset associated with a change in form of stool.
20,000 people suffer from one of the less common inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Colitis or Crohn's disease, and a further 20% of those diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease have a co-morbid diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.
The symptoms, including bloating, nausea, diarrhoea, an urgency to go to the bathroom and pain, generally have a significant effect on an individual's quality of life, and can be influenced by a number of stress related variables.
"Stress is known to affect the severity and possibly the direction of these diseases and things related to stress are an important focus of research attempting to improve future treatments for these conditions," said Dr Jonathan Egan, Deputy Director of the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at NUI Galway.
"Our research will ask people who are experiencing these symptoms or those who have Crohn's disease or Colitis to see what psychological factors improve or worsen their experience of these conditions."
The researchers say an initial analysis of the first hundred or so participants has indicated a high level of people feeling misunderstood by others and an affect on a person's sexual expression.
"Many have ongoing worry about planning their day so that they can access adequate toilet facilities. High levels of fatigue, poor ability to concentrate as well as high levels of stress, anxiety and mood being affected appear to be common," Dr Egan said.
To participate in the study, visit: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/IBSandIBDnuigalwaystudy.
