Thread by @GidMK

THAT'S NOT WHAT THE STUDY SAID AT ALL WHAT EVEN IS THIS

The study is here and actually it's really awesome: gut.bmj.com/content/early/…

The study looked at people who have IBS and were already being treated with the most effective known treatments

They randomized these people into three groups: cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) by phone, web, or treatment as usual

They found that people who had CBT improved their IBS scores as well as their ability to cope with the disease

BUT NOT BECAUSE THE DISEASE WAS 'PSYCHOLOGICAL'

The point here is that the researchers are looking at what's known as 'refractory' IBS, or IBS that doesn't respond to treatment as usual

Most of these people had had the disease for some time

The idea is that, if you've had IBS for a long time, you are likely to have developed unhelpful behaviours that are likely making it worse

These start out as coping mechanisms, but morph into issues

It's pretty common with chronic diseases - with my chronic pain, I start off by holding my muscles a bit differently to reduce the pain, but after weeks of that I'm sore everywhere because muscles are all connected

So no, the study doesn't suggest that IBS is "psychological in origin", what it suggests is that people with chronic diseases can develop unhelpful behaviour patterns and that combating this helps

They've also got some good evidence that CBT for refractory IBS is an effective treatment. It's a good study with a strong conclusion and I encourage people to read it

Also can't find the lead author on twitter but the senior author is @RonaMossMorris so I'd recommend a follow this looks like really good research

P.S. I was originally going to Have A Yell at the Mail for this because it sounds like nonsense but actually that's what the study shows so I tip my hat to those who've proven my skepticism unfounded