Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in Shahrekord, Iran

Indian J Gastroenterol. 2003 Nov-Dec;22(6):215-6.

Abstract

Background: As part of a public health program, we studied the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as per the Rome II criteria, in Shahrekord community in Iran.

Methods: The study was conducted between August 2002 and March 2003. Of 5492 randomly selected subjects aged 20 years and above (from a total population of approximately 100,000), 4762 (86.7%) successfully completed interviews to fill in a questionnaire that looked into demographic data and various symptoms during the last one year.

Results: The 12-month prevalence of IBS was 5.8%. The female-to-male ratio among subjects with IBS was 1.17:1 and was similar to that among those without IBS. Pain relieved by defecation was reported by 427 (9%) subjects, pain associated with change in bowel habit by 340 (7.1%), and pain associated with change in the form of stool by 337 (7.1%) subjects.

Conclusion: The prevalence of IBS in Shahrekord is lower than that reported from Western developed countries and is closer to that in Asian populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iran / epidemiology
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Surveys and Questionnaires