SOMATIC SYMPTOMS OF DEPRESSION AMONG PATIENTS WITH IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS)

The objective of this study is to explore the prevalence of somatic symptoms associated with depression in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) within the Georgian population. IBS was diagnosed according to the Rome IV diagnostic criteria. A total of 287 patients were screened, and 89 were included in the study. Depression was evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HRSD21), and 64 patients (71.91%) were diagnosed with depression. Of these, 24 patients (37.5%) had moderate depression, while 40 patients (62.5%) were diagnosed with severe depression. There is a strong link between IBS and depression, making it crucial to evaluate IBS patients for signs of depression, particularly when these symptoms are masked.