Examining the Relevance of Gastrointestinal Symptom-Specific Anxiety in Self-Reported IBS and Gluten-Related Conditions: Findings from Two Cross-Sectional Studies

Abstract

Background The present study examines the role of gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety in gluten-related conditions (e.g. celiac disease, non-coeliac gluten sensitivity) and in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The Visceral Sensitivity Index is widely used instrument for assessing gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety, originally used among IBS individuals, but it proved applicable to other health conditions characterized with gastrointestinal symptom presence (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, eating disorders). The coexistence and symptom overlap between IBS and gluten-related conditions may provide a rationale for investigating gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety in the latter population. Methods Two cross-sectional studies were conducted; consisting of 304 self-reported IBS individuals (M_age=34.48; SD_age=12.18) and 341 individuals with self-reported gluten-related disorders (M_age=36.65; SD_age=11.02). Self-reported questionnaire assessed the level of gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety, trait anxiety, negative affectivity, perceived gastrointestinal symptoms in IBS and gluten-related conditions, quality of life and well-being. Results The confirmatory factor analyses supported a unidimensional structure of the Hungarian version of the Visceral Sensitivity Index with adequate fit and high internal consistency in both samples. Invariance testing revealed variations in item interpretation, suggesting caution in statistical comparisons of Visceral Sensitivity Index scores. Gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety demonstrated medium-strong correlations and mediating role between trait anxiety, negative affectivity, perceived gastrointestinal symptom frequency, and quality of life indicators in both samples. Conclusions Gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety may be relevant not only for IBS, but also for gluten-related conditions, may reflecting mental aspects of quality of life. The Visceral Sensitivity Index proves reliable for measuring gastrointestinal symptom-specific anxiety in IBS and gluten-related disorders, suggesting its assessment in conditions where gastrointestinal symptoms prevail.