Objectives : Recently, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is known to be related with neurotransmitters. This study was designed to determine 3 -adrenergic receptor function in patients with IBS and to compared with normal controls to examine the relationship between ,3 -adrenergic receptor function and anxiety in IBS patients.
Methods : Eighteen IBS patients were compared with the same number of age and sex-matched normal subjects in terms of (3-adrenergic receptor function and psychological variables reflecting anxiety levels. To assess l3-adrenergic receptor function, Chronotropic 25 dose (CD25) was calculated via isoproterenol stimulation test.
Results : CD25 values in the patient group were significantly lower than those in the control group, which reflected increased ,6-adrenergic receptor function (2.19± 1.08 versus 3.89±1.64, p<0.05). Patients with IBS showed higher HAM-A scores (8.88±4.88 versus 3.59±2.65, p<0.01), HAM-D scores (6.41 ±4.02 versus 2.47±2.40, p<0.01), BDI scores (9.00±6.21 versus 4.72±4.30, p<0.05), and STAI scores (STAI-S : 43.41 ± 6.34 versus 33.83±8.18, p<0.01, STAI-T : 44.65±7.43 versus 38.17±8.45, p<0.05). In addition, HAM-A scores were negatively correlated with CD75 values in the patient group (r=-0.424, p<0.0t).
Conclusion : These results suggest that 8-adrenergic receptor function is increased in patients with IBS, which could affect increased anxiety levels in these patients. (J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc 2004;43 (1):40-45)
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