Exploring Associations of Different Types of Childhood Trauma With Symptomatology in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Background: The connection between childhood trauma and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is well documented. However, knowledge regarding distinct associations between different subtypes of childhood trauma and both intestinal and extraintestinal symptoms is widely lacking. The current cross-sectional study aimed to elucidate the impact of different types of childhood trauma on IBS symptomatology.

Methods: In 169 women with moderate to severe IBS and 39 healthy women (HCs), childhood trauma was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire. Gastrointestinal, extraintestinal, and psychological symptoms were evaluated via symptom diaries and questionnaires.

Key results: The overall prevalence of childhood trauma was significantly higher in women with IBS compared to HCs, with odds ratio (OR) 3.41 (95% CI, 1.35-8.60, p = 0.009) and with the highest rates observed for emotional and sexual abuse. Overall childhood trauma was positively associated with symptom severity (r = 0.305, p = 0.016). Among trauma types, emotional abuse was the strongest predictor of IBS, with a 6-fold increased odds of disorder, OR 6.69 (95% CI, 1.97-22.68, p = 0.002). Women with IBS and a history of emotional abuse reported longer episodes of abdominal pain, more defecation urgency, and higher levels of anxiety and depression.

Conclusions: Our findings support the significant role of childhood trauma in IBS pathology and increased symptom burden. They further indicate the specific relevance of emotional abuse influencing not only gastrointestinal symptoms but also extraintestinal and psychological complaints. These findings may help contribute to the identification of a distinct phenotype of IBS patients with a history of traumatic emotional abuse during childhood.