Respiratory dysfunction in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To study the respiratory symptoms and respiratory functions markers in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Materials and

Methods

The study included 40 patients with IBS, and 30 apparently healthy subjects. Pulmonary functions are performed using spirometry, including forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity, Forced Expiratory Volume/Forced Vital Capacity, peak expiratory flow rate. Classification of Irritable Bowel Syndrome subtypes performed according to the Rome III criteria.

RESULTS

Results

Respiratory symptom among patients with IBS was sputum in the most common 67.5%, cough 50%, and wheeze 30% and dyspnea 37.5%. The results of the current study also revealed a significant decrease in most markers of respiratory functions markers, these include: Forced Vital Capacity which was (2.59±0.12 L) in Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients as compared to healthy control group (2.82±0.06 L). A significant decrease in Forced Expiratory Volume was also recorded in patients (2.18±0.12 L) comparing to control subjects (2.42±0.73 L). Accordingly, the Forced Expiratory Volume/Forced Vital Capacity was also significantly decreased in patients 83.98%±1.21% in comparison to healthy individuals 85.85%±1.35%.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions

It was concluded that patients with irritable bowel syndrome exhibited a marked decreased in respiratory functions. It also seems that constipation is one of the underlining mechanisms for deterioration in the pulmonary functions and appearance of respiratory symptoms.