PSYCHOBIOLOGICAL FACTORS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Abstract

This article is a narrative review that aimed to analyze the impact of psychobiological factors on the quality of life of patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), discussing the efficacy of integrated interventions based on the brain-gut-microbiota axis. IBS is a complex disorder of brain-gut interaction characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits in the absence of identifiable structural abnormalities. Its pathophysiology involves intestinal dysbiosis, low-grade inflammation, and hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, all exacerbated by psychobiological factors such as chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. The high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities underscores the biopsychosocial nature of the syndrome. Literature indicates that pharmacological approaches alone have limited efficacy, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary therapies. Interventions such as the low-FODMAP diet (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols), Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, and microbiota modulation via probiotics can help reduce abdominal bloating, visceral hypersensitivity, and stress, thereby promoting the regulation of bowel function. Effective IBS management requires integrative care models that extend beyond a strictly gastrointestinal perspective. Combining dietary and psychotherapeutic strategies—tailored to each patient's profile—is crucial for reducing the disease's functional impact and improving quality of life.