Course and predictors of somatic symptom disorder in irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis: A longitudinal analysis from the SOMA.GUT-RCT.
Somatic symptom disorder fell from 42.3% to 15.5% over 12 months in ulcerative colitis/irritable bowel syndrome.
Course and predictors of somatic symptom disorder in irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis: A longitudinal analysis from the SOMA.GUT-RCT.
Longitudinal data on somatic symptom disorder (somatic symptom disorder) in ulcerative colitis (ulcerative colitis) and irritable bowel syndrome (irritable bowel syndrome) are lacking.
This study examined the 12-month course and biopsychosocial predictors of interview-based somatic symptom disorder in patients with ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome participating in a randomised controlled trial (randomised controlled trial).
Longitudinal data from an randomised controlled trial targeting gastrointestinal symptom persistence was analysed.
somatic symptom disorder was far less common at 12 months than at baseline
The sample included 213 patients (73.7% female; M age = 40.5, SD = 13.98) with ulcerative colitis (n = 110) or irritable bowel syndrome (n = 103).
Interview-based somatic symptom disorder diagnosis at 12 months was predicted by baseline symptom-related distress, whereas gastrointestinal symptom severity, depression severity and gender showed no independent predictive value.
Structured interview-based somatic symptom disorder was prevalent in patients with ulcerative colitis or irritable bowel syndrome at baseline and declined over time.
Psychosocial rather than disease-related variables predicted somatic symptom disorder, highlighting modifiable targets for early detection and tailored interventions.
Results should be interpreted cautiously due to the interventional study context, which may have influenced both baseline somatic symptom disorder frequency and change over time.