VARIOUS RISK FACTORS FOR IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the frequency of various known risk factors in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Study Design: Descriptive study
Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Okara on 60 patients (convenience sampling over a period of 01 year) who had been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and paid regular follow-up visits to the medical OPD.
Patients and Methods: Each patient in the study was investigated for the presence of various risk factors of IBS i.e. their age, sex, weight, socioeconomics, state of education, any coexistent ailment (DM, HTN etc) and any history of enteritis and food intolerance. The frequency of each risk factor in this sample of patients was then analyzed.
Results: Two third of the patients were within the age bracket of 20-30 years showing a male predominance. Body mass index and educational status had no effect on the frequency of the disease. Neither could any co-existing ailment or food intolerance be linked with the disease. Relatively high socioeconomic status and a history of enteritis prior to developing IBS did show a positive co-relation with IBS.
Conclusion: IBS is more common in young adult males. The disease shows a positive co-relation with a history of prior acute enteritis. It has a slight predilection for high socioeconomic status but its frequency is not related to food intolerance, any co-existing disease or BMI.