Quality of Life in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Irritable Bowel Syndrome: What Is Common?

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are chronic bowel diseases affecting young people, leading to a decrease in working capacity and having a negative impact on the quality of life (QOL). The syndrome of excessive bacterial growth in the small intestine (SIBO) is often combined with organic and functional intestinal diseases, worsening the clinical picture and worsening the quality of life of patients. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of diagnosed cases of bacterial overgrowth syndrome in the small intestine, which is primarily due to the availability of hydrogen breathing tests (VDT), which facilitate the diagnostic process. Objective. QOL analysis of patients with IBD and IBS, depending on the presence or absence of SIBO. Material and methods. The study included 152 patients with IBD and 100 patients with IBS. All patients underwent VDT for the verification of Iron the "Gastro+" device using lactulose. To access QOL a general questionnaire for both groups of patients (SF-36) and were used specialized questionnaires IBD (IBD) and IBS-QOL (IBS). Results. The presence of SIBО in both IBD and IBS patients is associated with a decrease in quality of life indicators reflecting both physical and mental health. Corresponding changes on all scales were detected when using specific questionnaires (IBDQ and IBS-QOL) and on the part of most scales when using the SF-36 questionnaire, except for the "vitality" scale, the "social functioning" scale – in patients with IBD and the "general health" scale – in patients with IBS.