ABSTRACT
Background: Medical experts have established a long-standing link between stress and the worsening of multiple physical health conditions especially those affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Stress in the psychological domain affects gut activity by modifying motility patterns and secretions at the same time it influences the microbiome of the intestine to possibly intensify symptoms involving bloating plus abdominal discomfort and bowel function disturbances.
Aim: This research aimed to understand associations between psychological stress and gastrointestinal health status as well as to determine the role of stress in intensifying and increasing GI symptoms in patients.
Methods: The research took place within Ayub Medical Hospital in Abbottabad. A total of 100 subjects who experienced gastrointestinal symptoms made up the research group. The research period extended from February 2024 up to January 2025. Participants underwent assessments using two validated survey instruments which included the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) together with a validated GI symptom checklist. Statistical analysis evaluated how stress levels correlated with the severity of gastrointestinal symptoms through the outcomes of the evaluation.
Results: Results from this study demonstrated that high stress levels produced a direct link to worsened gastrointestinal symptoms which proved statistically significant at p < 0.01. The participants with elevated PSS scores experienced more severe symptoms that included abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhea. GI symptoms connected to stress showed a higher incidence in females than males without reaching statistical significance.
Conclusion: Research findings confirmed that mental stress strongly affected gastrointestinal health status. People with higher psychological stress levels showed more severe symptoms and increased their gastrointestinal disturbances. The obtained data demonstrates the necessity of implementing psychological evaluation and stress control techniques throughout gastrointestinal disorder patient management.
Keywords: Stress, Gastrointestinal Health, Psychosomatic Disorders, Perceived Stress Scale, Gut-Brain Axis, Abdominal Pain, GI Symptoms.