Psychometric associations of gastrointestinal discomfort in schizophrenia – depression, anxiety, PTSD, childhood trauma and coping strategies.

Abstract

Increased rates and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms are observed in schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety disorders. The study aims to investigate depressive, anxiety and traumatic psychometric traits associated with discomfort from gastrointestinal symptoms in schizophrenia. 36 patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) in stable phase of the disease and 35 healthy controls (CON) aged 18-40 years completed following autoquestionnaires: Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale(GSRS), Beck Depression Inventory-II(BDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI), International Trauma Questionnaire(ITQ), Traumatic Event Checklist(TEC). Additionally, SCZ completed autoquestionnaires: Coping Inventory For Stressful Situations(CISS), Childhood Trauma Questionnaire(CTQ), Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia. SCZ and CON did not differ in any GSRS subscale scores. SCZ and CON presented different correlation patterns between GSRS and other questionnaires. In SCZ, GSRS-Total correlated positively with STAI-trait (r=0.55;FDR-p<0.05), ITQ-Negative Self-Concept (r=0.61;FDR-p<0.05), BDI (r=0.48;p<0.01), ITQ-Reexperiencing-Trauma (r=0.47;p<0.01). In SCZ, GSRS-Indigestion correlated significantly with multiple ITQ parameters. In CON, GSRS subscales Abdominal, Diarrhea and Reflux correlated positively with STAI-State and STAI-Total. In SCZ, CISS Task-Oriented Style correlated negatively with GSRS-Abdominal (r=-0.51;p<0.01), and Emotion-Oriented Style showed positive correlation trends with gastrointestinal discomfort. This study may potentially enhance the screening of individuals with schizophrenia who experience gastrointestinal discomfort. Conclusions are constrained by the cross-sectional design, limited sample size, and potential influence of pharmacotherapy. Patients with schizophrenia and healthy participants showed comparable discomfort from gastrointestinal symptoms. In schizophrenia, significant associations between gastrointestinal discomfort and depressive, anxiety, and traumatic symptoms are observed. Further research focusing on the gastrointestinal associations with psychometric factors in schizophrenia is warranted.