Global prevalence of IBS amongst countries and gender

Reference Number: 107

Year: 2012

Authors: REBECCA M. LOVELL and ALEXANDER C. FORD

Health: IBS

Summary

Introduction

Many cross-sectional surveys have reported the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but there have been no recent systematic review of data from all studies to determine its global prevalence and risk factors.

Aim

The current study aimed at estimating the global prevalence and risk factors associated with IBS.

Results

Of the 390 citations evaluated, 81 reported the prevalence of IBS in 80 separate study populations containing 260,960 subjects. The prevalence was higher for women than men and lower for individuals older than 50 years, compared with those younger than 50. There was no effect of socioeconomic status, but only 4 studies reported these data.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS STUDY

This study provides us with facts regarding the prevalence of IBS amongst countries and states that women are at slightly higher risk for IBS than men. The study also states that the global prevalence of IBS is 11%, but this varied considerably according to the geographic region, diagnostic criteria used to define IBS, minimum symptom duration required, age and gender.

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107 - ‘Global Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Meta-analysis’. CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY. 10:(712–721)

Summary

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