An observational study of cognitive function in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are associated with several risk factors for developing cognitive impairment. These include altered cytokine levels, concurrent mood disorders, and the presence of chronic pain. This observational study aimed to explore the cognitive profile of patients with these conditions. METHODS: Participants completed the Cardiff Cognitive Battery, a series of computerized neuropsychological performance tests that examine a range of cognitive function including psychomotor speed, memory, and intelligence. A progressive analysis of covariance model was used with demographic details, anxiety and depression scores entered as covariates. Fecal calprotectin levels were measured in IBD patients to determine disease activity. KEY RESULTS: In total 231 participants were recruited (150 IBD patients, 40 IBS patients, and 41 healthy controls). IBD patients had significantly lower scores on fluid (p = 0.01) and crystalline intelligence tests (p = 0.028) compared to healthy volunteers, however, this reflected differences in concurrent mood disorder and level of education. When these factors were added as covariates, there was no significant difference between the groups. Duration and activity of disease did not affect cognitive function in IBD patients. Severity of symptoms had no impact on cognition in patients with IBS. CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: The results of this observational study do not support the hypothesis that IBS or IBD have an intrinsic disease process that is associated with cognitive dysfunction. It is possible that concurrent mood disorders, in particular depression, may affect the cognitive performance of patients with IBD in specific tasks.
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Initial clinical evidence of MGB interactions primarily stems from associations between dysbiosis and CNS disorders, such as autism, anxiety-depressive behaviors, and functional gastrointestinal disorders.
“Initial clinical evidence of MGB interactions primarily stems from associations between dysbiosis and CNS disorders, such as autism, anxiety-depressive behaviors, and functional gastrointestinal disorders (63, 65–72).”
From Signalling cognition: The gut microbiota and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (2023) · cites this paper as [71]
Eleven of 13 studies measuring anxiety in controversy 1 found significantly higher rates or levels of anxiety in IBD than in healthy controls.
“Eleven of the 13 studies measured anxiety, with seven of these reporting either significantly higher rates (% or levels (mean scores) of anxiety in those with IBD than in healthy control participants (n=3,262 IBD; n=12,024 controls) (9, 15, 20-22, 24, 26).”
From Controversies Revisited: A Systematic Review of the Comorbidity of Depression and Anxiety with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (2016) · cites this paper as [15]
Nine of 13 studies found significantly higher rates and/or levels of depression in IBD participants than in healthy controls.
“Nine found significantly higher rates and/or levels of depression in IBD participants than in healthy controls (n=3,517 IBD; n=12,212 controls) (9, 15, 16, 19-22, 24, 26).”
From Controversies Revisited: A Systematic Review of the Comorbidity of Depression and Anxiety with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (2016) · cites this paper as [15]
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- Authors
- Berrill, J. W., Gallacher, J., Hood, K., Green, J. T., Matthews, S. B., Campbell, A. K., & Smith, A.
- Affiliations
- University Hospital of Wales (GB)
- Cardiff University (GB)
- School of Psychology Welston Court Science Centre Pembrokeshire UK
- Corresponding author
- Berrill, J. W.
- Venue
- Neurogastroenterology & Motility
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2013-08-26
- Volume
- 25
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 918
- ISSN
- 1350-1925 (ISSN-L)
- 1365-2982
- OpenAlex
- W2168558124
- Cited by
- 62
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 1 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 1.99
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Neurogastroenterology & Motility (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- ORCA Online Research @Cardiff (Cardiff University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute for Social Care and Health Research
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Cancer-related cognitive impairment studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Gastroenterology › Gastrointestinal motility and disorders
- Keywords
- irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, cognitive function, cognitive impairment, intelligence, fluid intelligence, depression, anxiety, mood disorders, fecal calprotectin, disease activity, chronic pain, cytokines
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Cognition, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Neuropsychological Tests, Risk Factors, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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