Self-reported IBS and gastrointestinal symptoms in the general population are associated with asthma, drug consumption and a family history of gastrointestinal diseases.

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of functional gastrointestinal (FGI) symptoms and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is high in the society, but the etiology is mainly unknown. This population-based, cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations between self-reported IBS or gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms within the past 2 weeks and concomitant diseases, drug consumption and family history of diseases.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Participants from the Malmö Offspring Study (MOS) answered a questionnaire about lifestyle habits, medical history and GI symptoms. Associations between self-reported IBS or GI symptoms and other diseases, drugs, and family history of diseases were calculated by logistic regression, adjusted for false discovery rate (FDR; q < 0.05).

RESULTS

Of 2648 included patients, 316 had IBS and 459 had GI symptoms. There was an association between IBS and asthma (OR: 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-2.32; q = 0.018), and between IBS and using of prescription (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.10-1.89; q = 0.028) and nonprescription drugs (OR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.43-2.59; q < 0.001), specifically adrenergic beta-antagonists, antihistamines and hypnotics. Regarding family history, GI disease in the family (OR: 2.44; 95% CI: 1.78-3.35; q < 0.001) and the subgroups celiac disease, gastric ulcer, functional dyspepsia, IBS and reflux, as well as prostate cancer were associated with IBS, while GI diseases (OR: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.89-3.46; q < 0.001), joint diseases (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.19-2.16; q = 0.009), and myocardial infarction (OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.09-2.99; q = 0.043) were associated with GI symptoms. Abdominal pain was the specific symptom with strongest associations.

CONCLUSIONS

IBS and GI symptoms were mainly associated with GI diseases in the family and drug consumption. To take a family and drug history is pertinent to all clinical history taking, irrespective of the symptomatology.