Risks of Major Mental Disorders and Irritable Bowel Syndrome among the Offspring of Parents with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Nationwide Study

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder that is highly comorbid with mental disorders. However, few studies have examined the risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), and schizophrenia in the offspring of parents with IBS. We used nationally representative cross-sectional survey data to analyze cross-generational transmission patterns of both IBS and major mental disorders. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated by using logistic regression models with adjustment for potential confounding factors. Offspring of parents with IBS were more likely to develop IBS themselves (OR = 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.09–2.78), ADHD (OR = 1.33, 95% CI, 1.08–1.62), and MDD (OR = 1.32, 95% CI, 1.04–1.68) than the controls. Data stratification by parental sex revealed that paternal IBS increased risk of ADHD (OR = 1.34, 95% CI, 1.01–1.77) in the offspring, while maternal IBS increased the risk of MDD (OR = 1.51, 95% CI, 1.11–2.06). This is the first study to reveal parental IBS is associated with IBS, ADHD, and MDD among offspring, suggesting the necessity for early implementation of prevention strategies for at-risk children.

Understanding the Role of the Gut Microbiome in Brain Development and Its Association With Neurodevelopmental Psychiatric Disorders

“…As in ASD, Schizophrenic individuals suffer high rates of GI problems like gastroenteritis, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) ( Garakani et al, 2003 ; Shah et al, 2012 ; Yeh et al, 2021 ) and are mostly at high risk for emergence of hyperglycemia/diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Such metabolic disorders are strongly associated with microbiota dysbiosis, including neuropsychiatric disorders such as SCZ ( de Hert et al, 2009 ; Ventriglio et al, 2015 ).…”

The multi-generational familial aggregation of interstitial cystitis, other chronic nociplastic pain disorders, depression, and panic disorder

“…Twin studies involving both FM and CFS indicate shared genetic contributions between these disorders and MDD (Corfield, Martin, & Nyholt, 2016). In addition, several investigators have found significantly increased risks for depression in the families of individuals diagnosed with FM (Arnold et al, 2004; Hudson et al, 2004) and IBS (Yeh et al, 2021). However, of two twin studies that investigated IBS-MDD comorbidity, one found evidence of a strong genetic contribution (Bengtson, Aamodt, Vatn, & Harris, 2015), the other found no evidence (Wojczynski, North, Pedersen, & Sullivan, 2007).…”

Association between breakfast consumption frequency and the risk of irritable bowel syndrome among Chinese female college students

“…Indeed, a nationwide survey revealed that offsprings of parents with IBS were more likely to develop IBS. [ 29 ] Therefore, future studies need to examine whether a family history of IBS confounds the association between breakfast consumption frequency and the risk of IBS. Third, the relatively large number of participants who did not participate in our study may have overestimated the results of this study.…”

“…Second, the genetic background could also contribute to the risk of developing IBS. Indeed, a nationwide survey revealed that offsprings of parents with IBS were more likely to develop IBS [29] . Therefore, future studies need to examine whether a family history of IBS confounds the association between breakfast consumption frequency and the risk of IBS.…”