The epidemiological aspects of irritable bowel syndrome in Southeastern Anatolia: a stratified randomised community-based study

Abstract

Even though studies on the epidemiology of the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are increasing day by day, epidemiological data are still unknown in many regions. Our objective was to determine the IBS prevalence, factors associated with this prevalence and probable risk groups in Southeastern Anatolia. The total population in the target region is approximately 6 million. A total of 3000 people (1521 females and 1479 males) randomly selected by stratified cluster sampling were interviewed face-to-face by using a questionnaire comprising demographic features and the Rome II criteria which also included probable risk factors and questions related with Bristol scale stool form. The statistical analysis was performed by using a package program called EPI INFO 2000. IBS prevalence was 10.2% according to the Rome II criteria in our region. Six hundred and twenty-five of 3000 subjects had gastrointestinal symptoms in the last 3 months. IBS rate was higher in women (12.4%) than in men (8.0%), and married subjects had higher IBS rates (11.6%) than singles (6.7%). Those differences were statistically significant (p = 0.000 for both). It was most common in the 35-54-year age group. No difference was observed in terms of settlement (rural/urban), age group, education and occupation. History of abortion in women increased the IBS risk by 1.8 times (p = 0.000 Crude odds ratios = 1.8 (1.3-2.6) 95% confidence intervals). Of the IBS patients, 48.1% had characteristics of diarrhoea-predominance, 38.9% constipation-predominance while 13.0% had none. There was a significant relation between dominant stool form and Bristol scale stool form. IBS prevalence is 10.2% in the first community-based study carried out in this specific subject in Southeastern Anatolia. The dominance of middle age and females remained significant.

A population‐based study of irritable bowel syndrome in a non‐Western population

“…In the logistic regression, a high income and few years of education were most closely associated with IBS, and we identified a small group of men with a particularly high prevalence of IBS; they had received only primary education but had a high income and they also had high distress and life events score. This is similar to the report from Turkey, where IBS was most common in respondents who were literate but had not been officially educated; such a position was considered to be particularly stressful 36 . It has also some similarity with Gwee’s 5 suggestion that increasing wealth in a developing country is accompanied by an increased chance of IBS.…”

“…This is similar to the report from Turkey, where IBS was most common in respondents who were literate but had not been officially educated; such a position was considered to be particularly stressful. 36 It has also some similarity with GweeÕs 5 suggestion that increasing wealth in a developing country is accompanied by an increased chance of IBS. This might be related to increased stress, but we do not have data to comment on whether this is related to change in diet or lack of exposure to infection during childhood, but the latter seems unlikely in this group.…”

Predictive Factors for the Diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in a Large Cohort of 440,822 Young Adults

“…[29][30][31][32][33][34] However, we found that gender had no influence on IBS incidence in our study population. Higher socioeconomic status was a predictive factor for IBS diagnosis and deterioration in our study cohort.…”

Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Community Based Study From Northern India

“…This study was done as door to door survey using random sampling. The prevalence of IBS in both the above community based study was not only much lower than that reported from the Western countries; but also much lower than community based studies from other Asian countries like Taiwan (22.1% by Rome II criteria),17 China (11.5% by Manning criteria),18 Singapore (8.6% by Rome II criteria),9 Malaysia (15.6% by Rome II criteria),19 Bangladesh (8.5% by Rome II criteria),20 Pakistan (14% by Rome II criteria),21 Turkey (10.2% by Rome II criteria),22 Korea (6.6% by Rome II criteria)23 and Japan (9.8% by Rome II criteria) 10…”