Rome III survey of irritable bowel syndrome among ethnic Malays

AIM: To survey irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) using Rome III criteria among Malays from the north-eastern region of Peninsular Malaysia.METHODS: A previously validated Malay language Rome III IBS diagnostic questionnaire was used in the current study. A prospective sample of 232 Malay subjects (80% power) was initially screened. Using a stratified random sampling strategy, a total of 221 Malay subjects (112 subjects in a “full time job” and 109 subjects in “no full time job”) were recruited. Subjects were visitors (friends and relatives) within the hospital compound and were representative of the local community. Red flags and psychosocial alarm symptoms were also assessed in the current study using previously translated and validated questionnaires. Subjects with IBS were sub-typed into constipation-predominant, diarrhea-predominant, mixed type and un-subtyped. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to test for association between socioeconomic factors and presence of red flags and psychosocial alarm features among the Malays with IBS.RESULTS: IBS was present in 10.9% (24/221), red flags in 22.2% (49/221) and psychosocial alarm features in 9.0% (20/221). Red flags were more commonly reported in subjects with IBS (83.3%) than psychosocial alarm features (20.8%, P < 0.001). Subjects with IBS were older (mean age 41.4 years vs 36.9 years, P = 0.08), but no difference in gender was noted (P = 0.4). Using univariable analysis, IBS was significantly associated with a tertiary education, high individual income above RM1000, married status, ex-smoker and the presence of red flags (all P < 0.05). In multiple logistic regression analysis, only the presence of red flags was significantly associated with IBS (odds ratio: 0.02, 95%CI: 0.004-0.1, P < 0.001). The commonest IBS sub-type was mixed type (58.3%), followed by constipation-predominant (20.8%), diarrhea-predominant (16.7%) and un-subtyped (4.2%). Four of 13 Malay females (30.8%) with IBS also had menstrual pain. Most subjects with IBS had at least one red flag (70.8%), 12.5% had two red flags and 16.7% with no red flags. The commonest red flag was a bowel habit change in subjects > 50 years old and this was reported by 16.7% of subjects with IBS.CONCLUSION: Using the Rome III criteria, IBS was common among ethnic Malays from the north-eastern region of Peninsular Malaysia.     

Prevalence and factors associated with irritable bowel syndrome among university students in Lebanon:Findings from a cross-sectional study

AIM: To describe the bowel habits and the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) and to investigate the influence of health behavior and social factors on IBS prevalence in university students. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at five major universities in Greater Beirut and its suburbs, between February and June 2014. Using a convenience sample, a total of 813 students aged 18 years old and above participated in this study. Participants were asked to complete a comprehensive anonymous questionnaire which detailed characteristics on socio-demographic, health-related, and lifestyle factors, as well as IBS. The ROME Ⅲ criteria were used as a tool to ascertain IBS. A χ2 test was used to determine differences between categorical variables; stepwise logistic regression was used to measure the association between IBS and its risk factors.RESULTS: An overall prevalence of IBS of 20% was recorded among university students. The bivariate analysis showed that females were significantly more likely to report having IBS than males(29.1% vs 18.2%, P < 0.01). Those living at the school dormitory or in a private residence(39.5%) were more likely to have IBS than those living with their families(16.3%)(P < 0.01). The multivariate analysis showed that those who had a relatively high family income level(US$ > 2000) were almost 6 times more likely to report havingIBS than their counterparts.CONCLUSION: This is the first study to describe the nature of IBS among young adults in Lebanon. The prevalence of IBS among university students in our sample was higher than that reported in the West.     

肠易激综合征诊断标准评价

目的评价Manning标准、罗马Ⅰ标准和罗马Ⅱ标准诊断IBS的真实性，并对适合我国人群的IBS诊断标准进行探讨。方法采用自行设计的调查表对724名来自上海第二医科大学附属新华医院消化内科的门诊患者和健康体检中心的体检人员进行问卷调查、体格检查和选择性辅助检查。其中402例为IBS患者，134例为非溃疡性消化不良患者，90例为溃疡性结肠炎患者，98名为健康者。计算Manning标准、罗马Ⅰ标准、罗马Ⅱ标准诊断IBS的灵敏度和特异度及其95％CI、阳性预测值和阴性预测值、阳性似然比和阴性似然比。结果Manning标准、罗马Ⅰ标准和罗马Ⅱ标准的灵敏度和特异度分别为96．02％(95％CI：95．06％～100．0％)、77．36％(95％CI：75．31％～79．41％)、68．41％(95％CI：66．14％～70．68％)和47．51％(95％CI：44．78％～50．23％)、73．29％(95％CI：70．87％～75．70％)、83．23％(95％CI：81．19％～85．27％)；阳性预测值和阴性预测值分别为69．55％、78．33％、83．59％和90．53％、72．17％、67．85％，阳性似然比和阴性似然比分别为1．83、2．90、4．07和0．08、0．31、0．38。结论通过仔细采集病史的方法可作出IBS的正确诊断，罗马Ⅱ标准诊断IBS有较高的真实性。     

Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

AIM:To determine the prevalence of restless legs syndrome(RLS)in patients with irritable bowel syndrome(IBS).METHODS:Patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS(n=30),constipation-predominant IBS(n=30),or mixed-symptom IBS(n=30)were recruited from the community between March 2008 and February 2009.Rifaximin 200 mg three times daily was administered empirically to alleviate small intestinal bowel over-growth in all patients.The presence of RLS was assessed via an RLS questionnaire and polysomnography.RESULTS:Twen...     

汶川地震灾区中学教师肠易激综合征的患病率和相关因素

目的:研究肠易激综合征(IBS)在地震灾区(汶川)中学教师中的患病率、发病特征、致病相关危险因素.方法:采用多级随机抽样方法,随机抽取地震灾区和非灾区3所中学269名教师进行IBS的流行病学调查.结果:校正后符合罗马Ⅱ诊断标准IBS的患病率为22.5%(95%CI:17.3%-24.7%).其中地震灾区患IBS有38例,患病率为27.9%(95%CI:20.4%-35.4%),非地震灾区患IBS有17例,患病率为15.7%(95%CI:8.8%-22.6%),经比较IBS在地震灾区的教师中患病率高于非灾区,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);通过HAD量表调查发现,地震灾区和非灾区教师在焦虑焦虑和抑郁状况方面没有统计学意义,而患IBS教师发生率要高于非IBS教师,有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论:地震灾区教师IBS的患病率27.9%,高于非灾区教师的患病率.非灾区教师生理机能优于灾区教师,在焦虑和抑郁状况方面患IBS教师发生率要高于非IBS教师,说明地震应激事件可加重地震灾区教师的IBS发病,使其病情复杂化和治疗难度加大.     

Latent structure of irritable bowel syndrome symptom severity

AIM: To investigate the latent structure of an irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) symptom severity scale in a population of healthy adults.METHODS: The Birmingham IBS symptom questionnaire which consists of three symptom specific scales(diarrhea,constipation,pain) was evaluated by meansof structural equation modeling.We compared the original 3-factor solution to a general factor model and a bifactor solution in a large internet sample of college students(n = 875).Statistical comparisons of competing models were conducted by means of χ2 difference tests.Regarding the evaluation of model fit,we examined the comparative fit index(CFI) and the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation(RMSEA).RESULTS: Results clearly favored a bifactor model of IBS symptom severity(CFI = 0.99,RMSEA = 0.05) which consisted of a strong general IBS somatization factor and three symptom specific factors(diarrhea,constipation,pain) based on the subscales of the Birmingham IBS symptom questionnaire.The fit indices of the competing one factor model(CFI = 0.85,RMSEA = 0.17) and three factor model(CFI = 0.97,RMSEA = 0.08) were clearly inferior.χ2 difference tests showed that the differences between the models were indeed significant in favor of the bifactor model(P 0.001).Correlations of the four latent factors with measures of pain sensitivity,somatoform dissociation,fatigue severity,and demographic variables support the validity of our bifactor model of IBS specific symptom severity.CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that IBS symptom severity might best be understood as a continuous and multidimensional construct which can be reliably and validly assessed with the B-IBS.     

Recent advances in pharmacological treatment of irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a highly prevalent functional disorder that reduces patients’ quality of life. It is a chronic disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort associated with disordered defecation in the absence of identifiable structural or biochemical abnormalities. IBS imposes a significant economic burden to the healthcare system. Alteration in neurohumoral mechanisms and psychological factors, bacterial overgrowth, genetic factors, gut motility, visceral hypersensitivity, and immune system factors are currently believed to influence the pathogenesis of IBS. It is possible that there is an interaction of one or more of these etiologic factors leading to heterogeneous symptoms of IBS. IBS treatment is predicated upon the patient’s most bothersome symptoms. Despite the wide range of medications and the high prevalence of the disease, to date no completely effective remedy is available. This article reviews the literature from January 2008 to July 2013 on the subject of IBS peripherally acting pharmacological treatment. Drugs are categorized according to their administration for IBS-C, IBS-D or abdominal pain predominant IBS.     

Epidemiology of irritable bowel syndrome in Chinese

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is common in Caucasians and Japanese, but its epidemiology has not been studied in urbanized Chinese populations. Our aim was to compare diagnostic criteria and study the epidemiology of IBS in Hong Kong Chinese. In all, 964 subjects from public housing and 334 subjects from private housing were recruited for face-to-face interviews in Shatin, Hong Kong. A structured questionnaire was used to measure the prevalence of IBS according to the Manning, Rome I, and Rome II criteria. The SF-36 scale was used to measure quality of life (QOL) in subjects with IBS and in normal controls. The results were compared by the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Relevant medical consultations and absence from work were recorded. There was fair agreement between the Manning and Rome II criteria ( = 0.23; P < 0.001), but good agreement between the Rome I and Rome II criteria ( = 0.5; P < 0.001). The prevalence of IBS, based on the Rome II criteria, was 3.6% (95% CI = 2.0–5.2) in men and 3.8% (95% CI = 2.5–5.2) in women. Men with IBS had significantly lower vitality scores on the SF-36 scale than the controls (P < 0.05 by ANCOVA), and women with IBS had significantly lower mental health scores than controls (P < 0.05 by ANCOVA). In conclusion, IBS is quite prevalent in Hong Kong Chinese, and the QOL of subjects with IBS was significantly affected.     

褪黑激素与肠易激综合征

肠易激综合征是一种原因不明的慢性肠功能紊乱性疾病，其发病机制尚不清楚。其治疗方法也在不断改进中，褪黑激素对肠易激综合征的治疗有着积极的作用。     

Economic burden of irritable bowel syndrome in China

AIM To estimate annual direct and indirect costs for patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) and subtypes.METHODS Patients completed a standardized questionnaire concerning usage of healthcare resources, travel costs, meals, and productivity loss of patients when seeking treatment for IBS. Total annual costs per patient were calculated as the sum of direct(including medical and nonmedical) and indirect costs. Total annual costs per patient among various IBS subtypes were compared. Analysis of variance and bootstrapped independent sample t-tests were performed to determine differences between groups after controlling for IBS subtypes.RESULTS A total of 105 IBS patients(64.80% female), mean age of 57.12 years ± 10.31 years), mean disease duration of 4.31 years ± 5.40 years, were included. Total annual costs per patient were estimated as CNy18262.84(USD2933.08). Inpatient and outpatient healthcare use were major cost drivers, accounting for 46.41%and 23.36% of total annual costs, respectively. Productivity loss accounted for 25.32% of total annual costs. The proportions of direct and indirect costs were similarto published studies in other countries. Nationally, the total costs of managing IBS would amount to CNy123.83 billion(USD1.99 billion). Among the IBS subtypes, total annual costs per patient of IBS-M was highest at CNy18891.18(USD3034). Furthermore, there was significant difference in productivity loss among IBS subtypes(P = 0.031).CONCLUSION IBS imposes a huge economic burden on patients and healthcare systems, which could account for 3.3% of the total healthcare budget for the entire Chinese nation. More than two-thirds of total annual costs of IBS consist of inpatient and outpatient healthcare use. Among the subtypes, IBS-M patients appear to have the greatest economic burden but require further confirmation.     

中国湖北地区腹泻型肠易激综合征患者中成人乳糜泻血清学筛查

 目的 筛查伴有血清学特征的成人乳糜泻在中国湖北人群特别是腹泻型肠易激综合征（D-IBS）患者中的患病情况。 
方法 依据罗马Ⅲ标准选取282例D-IBS患者,并以296例年龄和性别匹配并且无腹泻症状的体检人群作为对照组,采用ELISA法检测血清IgA/IgG型抗人组织转谷氨酰胺酶/脱酰胺麸朊肽抗体（抗htTG/DGP）水平。血清抗体阳性者建议行去麸质饮食治疗5~6个月,观察临床疗效,并复查血清中抗htTG/DGP水平。
结果 纳入试验的578例研究对象中,血清抗htTG/DGP阳性7例,其中D-IBS组5例（5/282, 1.77%）,对照组2例（2/296, 0.68%）。抗htTG/DGP阳性研究对象中,4例同意并进行了平均5.2个月的去麸质饮食治疗,随访观察显示其临床症状均得到明显改善,并伴随血清抗htTG/DGP水平降低。
结论 乳糜泻在中国可能并非罕见疾病,特别是在D-IBS患者乳糜泻发病率更高,因此,在IBS患者中进行乳糜泻血清学筛查具有重要意义。     

肠易激综合征流行病学研究现状与进展

肠易激综合征(irritable bowel syndrome,IBS)是一种以慢性或者反复发作的腹痛伴排便习惯改变为特征的功能性肠病,并缺乏形态学和生化标志的异常。IBS是一种全球性疾病,人群患病率较高,其症状可反复发作,严重影响患者的生活质量,并占用了大量的医疗资源。IBS的病因和发病机制尚未明了,随着对IBS认识的不断深入和发展,国内外在不同时期,采用不同的标准和方法,对IBS的流行病学进行了较深入的研究,但不同国家和地区、不同人群的IBS患病率及其分布特征研究结果不尽相同,影响IBS的危险因素主要包括社会心理因素及遗传、感染、食物、药物因素等,现就近年来国内外IBS流行病学的研究情况作一综述。     

State-of-the-art of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease research in 2008

Irritable bowel syndrome （IBS） and inflammatory bowel disease （IBD） are two of the leading causes of chronic intestinal conditions in the world. This issue of World Journal of Gastroenterology （ WJG） presents a series of papers from world experts who discuss the current knowledge and opinions on these important conditions. Although great strides have been made in the diagnosis, treatment and pathology of IBS and IBD; much has yet to be explained. The etiologies and risk factors of these multifactorial conditions remain elusive. Specific diagnostic biomarkers need to be developed and safer treatments developed. The burden of IBS and IBD on the healthcare system is felt with repeated medical care visits and high costs. IBS and IBD patients can account for 30%-50% of office visits at gastroenterology services/clinics. Over one million people have IBD in the United States, with 30000 new cases being diagnosed every year. One-quarter million people in the UK are afflicted with IBD. The cost of medical care in the United States for IBD is estimated to be $1.8 billion/year.     

The role of diagnostic testing in irritable bowel syndrome

This article discusses the diagnostic criteria and processes applicable to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The authors describe the various diagnostic criteria with a focus on the Rome criteria for IBS and the judicious application of historical information such as alarm features and the yield of various diagnostic modalities such as blood, stool, breath, and endoscopic tests.     

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome in women

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a complex clinical process with multiple pathophysiologic mechanisms. There has recently been a shift in the treatment of patients with severe IBS symptoms to disease-modifying therapies as opposed to symptomatic treatment. Because pathophysiologic differences exist between men and women, so does the efficacy of treatment options. These differences could further explain gender-related differences in disease prevalence and treatment response. A brief discussion of the definition, epidemiology, and diagnostic criteria of IBS is followed by a comprehensive review of the current treatment choices and potential future therapeutic options of IBS in women.     

肠易激综合征发病机理的研究进展

肠易激综合征的发病机制至今仍不明确，目前比较一致的观点认为IBS是胃肠动力异常、内脏感觉敏感性增高、肠道感染、炎症、心理社会精神因素、神经免疫内分泌及基因遗传等多种发病机制共同参与共同作用的结果，本文就近年来有关IBS发病机制的研究进展作一综述。     

肠易激综合征感觉异常研究进展

肠易激综合征(IBS)是以腹痛和/或腹部不适伴排便异常为特征性症状的一组肠功能障碍性综合征,近年来的研究表明患者结肠对机械、化学、温度、电刺激等感觉过敏,可能是IBS最重要的致病因素之一.此文综述近年来有关肠易激综合征患者肠神经系统、脊髓及中枢神经系统存在结构或功能的异常.     

肠易激综合征病人肠道气体定量分析

目的　通过X线腹部平片对肠道气体进行定量测试 ,分析肠道气体容量与肠易激综合征(IBS)的关系。方法　 4 8例根据罗马Ⅱ标准诊断的IBS病人和 2 5例正常对照的X线腹部平片经数字化转换后输入电脑 ,肠道气体量在电脑显示为象素值 ,经体格标准化后 ,以气体容量积分 (GVS)表达。以对照GVS的 x± 2s为正常值 ,分析GVS与IBS型别的关系。结果　正常对照GVS为 0 .0 5 5±0 .0 12 ,离散系数为 2 1.8% ;便秘型IBS均值 (0 .0 76± 0 .0 2 7,t =3.5 99,P <0 .0 1)与正常人比较显著增高 ,4 4 .4 %的个体GVS大于正常值 ,余在正常范围 ;腹泻型IBS均值 (0 .0 4 8± 0 .0 32 ,t =1.4 76 ,P >0 .0 5 )与正常人比较差异无显著性 ,但离散系数高达 6 6 .7% ,4 2 .9%的病人GVS降低 ,14 .3%增高。结论　IBS病人肠道气体容量存在明显改变 ,并与型别有关 ;便秘型以增多为主 ,腹泻型以减少为主。     

Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome

Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome （PI-IBS） is a common disorder wherein symptoms of IBS begin after an episode of acute gastroenteritis. Published studies have reported incidence of PI-IBS to range between 5% and 32%. The mechanisms underlying the development of PI-IBS are not fully understood, but are believed to include persistent sub-clinical inflammation, changes in intestinal permeability and alteration of gut flora. Individual studies have suggested that risk factors for PI-IBS include patients＇ demographics, psychological disorders and the severity of enteric illness. However, PI-IBS remains a diagnosis of exclusion with no specific disease markers and, to date, no definitive therapy exists. The prognosis of PI- IBS appears favorable with spontaneous and gradual resolution of symptoms in most patients.     

Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in Hong Kong

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: As part of a public education program, the Hong Kong Society of Gastrointestinal Motility studied the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in the community, which was based on the recently published Rome II criteria. The distribution of diarrhea or constipation-predominant IBS subtypes, the prevalence of bowel symptoms and the predictors of health-care seeking were also studied. METHODS: Among 1797 randomly selected respondents, 1000 successful telephone interviews (56%) were conducted from August 2000 to December 2000, using a validated questionnaire in Chinese that looked into demographic data and various bowel symptoms during the past year. RESULTS: The 12-month prevalence of IBS as defined by the Rome II criteria in Hong Kong was 6.6%. The female to male ratio was 1.3:1, but this ratio was the same in the control group. The distribution of IBS patients into diarrhea predominant, constipation predominant, and non-specific subtypes was 27, 17 and 56%, respectively. The predominant symptom in the IBS group was pain (54.5%), followed by urgency (15%), abdominal distension (15%) and diarrhea (11%). Forty-seven percent of IBS patients sought medical attention and only 21% of them knew that they had IBS. Moderate to severe pain severity (odds ratio 3.7, 95% CI 1.02-13) and mucus in stool (odds ratio 3.57, 95% CI 1.18-10.7) were associated with health-care seeking in univariate analysis. The prevalence of bowel symptoms such as urgency, straining, feeling of incomplete defecation, mucus in stool and abdominal distension ranged from 11 to 41%. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of IBS in Hong Kong was 6.6%, and the female to male ratio was similar to the control group. The majority was of non-specific IBS subtype. Gross underdiagnosis (21%) by Western practitioners was noted.