RT Journal Article
T1 Symptom Severity, Body Image Dissatisfaction, and Movement Behaviors in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Analysis of Quality of Life Determinants
A1 López González, María Ángeles
A1 Fernández Ozcorta, Eduardo José
A1 Arbinaga, Félix
A1 Arrayás Grajera, Manuel Javier
A1 Tornero Quiñones, Inmaculada
K1 Body image
K1 ross-sectional studies
K1 Irritable bowel syndrome
K1 Physical activity
K1 Quality of life
K1 Severity of illness index
AB Background: Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) exerts a profound burden on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and psychosocial well-being. While lifestyle changes are recommended, the dose–response relationship between physical activity (PA) intensities, symptom severity, and body image remains unclear. This study analyzed the interrelationships between PA intensities, symptom severity, body image satisfaction, and HRQoL in IBS patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 40 adult patients (60% female; 32.53 ± 12.54 years) diagnosed via Rome III/IV criteria. Validated instruments were used to assess PA (IPAQ-SF), sedentary behavior (SBQ), HRQoL (IBS-QoL), symptomseverity (IBS-SSS), and body image (BIS). Data were analyzed using Quantile Regression, Robust Linear Regression, and Causal Mediation Analysis. Results: Participants reported moderate symptom severity (210.1 ± 79.2) and high sedentary time (511.1 ± 265.0 min/day). Quantile Regression showed no statistically significant associations between PA intensities and clinical severity (all p ≥ 0.289). PA did not moderate the negative relationship betweenpain and HRQoL (p = 0.738). However, symptom severity was a significant predictor of body dissatisfaction (β = 0.36, p < 0.001). A sexual dimorphism was observed, as women exhibited higher baseline dissatisfaction and greater sensitivity to symptom worsening than men (β = −0.50, p = 0.004). Conclusions: Symptom severity is strongly associated with body dissatisfaction in IBS, particularly among women, independent of nutritional status. While PA did not directly mitigate symptoms in this cohort, the significant relationship with body image underscores the need for clinical interventions to integrate psychosocial support to address perceptual vulnerability.
PB MDPI
YR 2026
FD 2026
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10272/28068
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10272/28068
LA eng
NO López-González, M.A., Fernández-Ozcorta, E.J., Arbinaga, F., Arrayás-Grajera, M.J., & Tornero-Quiñones, I. (2026). Symptom Severity, Body Image Dissatisfaction, and Movement Behaviors in Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Analysis of Quality of Life Determinants. Healthcare, 14(6):714. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14060714
NO During the preparation of this manuscript, the authors used Gemini (Google) to assist in the interpretation of complex statistical analyses and the structuring of the scientific narrative. The authors have thoroughly reviewed and edited the generated content and assume full responsibility for the integrity and accuracy of the results and conclusions presented in this publication.
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Huelva
RD 31 may 2026