Background and aim: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients usually manifest autonomic nerve dysfunctions and abnormal psychological behaviors. This study was to assess autonomic nervous system (ANS) response to different stressor as well as evaluate effects of antidepressive treatment of Saint John's Wort Extract in women with IBS.
Method: Thirty women with IBS and 20 healthy women underwent serial ANS function tests. Five-minute-short-time heart rate variability (HRV) spectral analysis were assessed at a stress or resting recording period. Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) were used to measure their anxiety and depression conditions. After 8-weeks' antidepressant treatment, groups of IBS repeated the tests above. Subjects also completed a GI symptom diary once daily during the 2 weeks before therapy and for 2 weeks in the last scheduled therapy session.
Results: IBS-group showed a higher score in HAMA and HAMD (p < 0.01) and showed a significant increase in the low frequency band/high frequency band ratio (L/H) during the period in different stimuli (p <0.01), which was significantly different from controls. After 8-weeks' antidepressive treatment, L/H showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) response to different stressor, which was significantly different from pre-treatment. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms of IBS were also relieved significantly.
Conclusions: Antidepressive treatment can improve the conditions of psychology and the ANS reactivity to stress in patients with IBS.