Comparative Analysis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity in Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Healthy Controls: A Case-Control Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim is to assess the severity of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms in adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in comparison to a control group and to examine the relationship between the symptom severities of adults with ADHD and IBS.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 40 adults with ADHD and 40 matched healthy controls. Adults with ADHD was diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 Disorders, and symptom severity was assessed with the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. Irritable bowel syndrome severity was determined using Irritable Bowel Syndrome Severity Scoring System. Major psychiatric disorders, chronic gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, and recent use of GI medications were among the exclusion criteria. Statistical analyses used t-tests, chi-square tests, and Pearson’s correlation (P < .05).

Results: The group with ADHD showed significantly higher IBS symptom severity scores (114.73 ± 125.16) than the control group (55.82 ± 85.51) (t=2.167, P=.016). A strong positive correlation was observed between ADHD symptom severity and IBS symptom severity (r=0.689, P < .001).

Conclusion: Individuals with ADHD experience more severe IBS symptoms than healthy controls. The positive correlation between the severity of ADHD symptoms and IBS suggests a potential link requiring further investigation.

Cite this article as: Sağlam T, Takım U. Comparative analysis of irritable bowel syndrome symptom severity in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and healthy controls: A case-control study. Neuropsychiatr Invest. 2025, 63, 0031, doi:10.5152/NeuropsychiatricInvest.2025.25031.