Gut-Brain Interactions in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Role of Hypnotherapy in Managing Symptoms

摘要

We read with interest the editorial by Mekori-Domachevsky and Ben-Horin1 and applaud the authors for advocating the use of hypnotherapy in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] with overlapping irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] symptoms, building on results from a recent trial providing much-needed substantiation of its potential benefit for patients with gut–brain disorders.However, contrary to what the authors suggest, psychological symptoms are not unique only to patients with IBS. Quite the opposite is true, as anxiety and depression are frequent in IBD, occurring in over 40% of patients.2 In addition, psychological comorbidities have not only been associated with worse clinical outcomes,2 but can also precede an acute exacerbation of the disease.3