Association and symptom characteristics of irritable bowel syndrome among bronchial asthma patients in Kuwait

Abstract

CONTEXT:Excess prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in asthma has been reported, suggesting a link between these two conditions.AIMS:To investigate the association between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and asthma, and explore the symptoms of IBS among asthma patients in Kuwait.SETTINGS AND DESIGN:Case control study.METHODS:In a tertiary center, for allergy and asthma, 138 patients aged 20-65 years, with asthma, diagnosed clinically and by spirometry, were compared with 145 healthy, non-asthmatic controls matched for age, gender and nationality. Cases and controls completed a self-administered questionnaire of irritable bowel syndrome diagnosis (ROME II criteria).STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED:The data were analyzed using SPSS software, and proportions were tested with Chi-square or Fisher's test. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were calculated to identify the associated risk factors. The demographic variables were selected for logistic regression analysis.RESULTS:A significantly large proportion (39.13%) of asthmatics had IBS as compared to 7.93% controls (P < 0.001). A higher proportion of females with IBS were observed in cases and controls (74%, 61.54%). IBS was seen in 87% cases using inhalers, and in 13% with additional oral theophylline (P < 0.001). As many as 66.6% cases, had IBS with relatively short duration of asthma (1-5 years, P < 000). Predominant symptoms of IBS in asthmatics were abdominal discomfort or distension (64.8% vs. 11.5%), (P < 0.000, OR = 14.1; 95%CI: 3.748-53.209), bloated feeling of abdomen (74.1% vs. 34.62% (P < 0.001, OR = 5.38; 95%CI:1.96-14.84)), increased frequency of stools (63%, P < 0.006).CONCLUSIONS:Irritable bowel syndrome in asthmatics was significantly high, more in the female asthmatics. Abdominal discomfort, persistent bloated feeling, increased frequency of passing stools were the most common IBS symptoms observed.

Co-morbidities and cognitive status in a cohort of teenagers with asthma

“…Only those with persistent asthma were at an increased risk for IBS while the prevalence in those with mild asthma was similar to those without asthma. Previous studies already reported the association between asthma and IBS with an OR ranging from 1.3 to 5.0 . An association between IBS and severity of asthma has not been previously documented.…”

The overlap of atopy and functional gastrointestinal disorders among 23 471 patients in primary care

“…found a similar pattern for IBS prevalence in asthmatics that was not apparently due to asthma therapy, although another study has shown an increased risk of IBS in asthma patients alongside a decreased risk for IBS in oral steroid users . Their findings were replicated by Panicker et al . who reported an OR for IBS of almost three in an allergy out‐patient sample in Kuwait and Hunskar et al .…”

Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Singapore and Its Association with Dietary, Lifestyle, and Environmental Factors

“…There have been several reports of increased prevalence of IBS among atopic patients, especially patients with asthma. [33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] In a large primary care study of general practitioner diagnosed IBS, the odds ratio for IBS among asthma patients was 2-fold that of controls. 47 Tobin et al 33 reported increased mucosal mast cells in a group of IBS patients with concurrent atopic disease.…”