Symptom Comparisons Between Asian American and White American Women With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

PURPOSE: There is little information on racial/ethnic characteristics of patients with irritable bowel syndrome. In this study we determined whether the severity of symptoms (gastrointestinal, psychological distress), cognitive beliefs about irritable bowel syndrome and life impacts (life interference, health related-quality of life) differ women with irritable bowel syndrome between Asian-Americans and White-Americans; and the relationships among these variables. METHODS: As a secondary data analysis, Asian-American women (N = 21) and age- and design-matched White-American women (N = 63) with irritable bowel syndrome were included. Data were collected from questionnaires and a 28-days daily diary (e.g., abdominal pain, depression). RESULTS: The percent days with moderate/severe abdominal pain and psychological distress were significantly higher; and constipation- and diarrhea-dominant bowel pattern subtypes were prevalent in White-Americans as compared to Asian-Americans. Positive relationships of gastrointestinal symptoms with psychological distress, and of gastrointestinal and psychological symptoms with negative cognitive beliefs and negative life impacts, were observed in White-Americans. CONCLUSIONS: Further studies to evaluate contributing (e.g., cultural-environmental, pathophysiological, diet) factors of symptom characteristics in Asian-Americans are suggested. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Our study provides useful information for health care providers to understand symptoms and cultural factors, and the potential for culturally-tailored symptom management for this patient group.