The Pan African Medical Journal (May 2011)

Pattern of irritable bowel syndrome and its impact on quality of life in primary health care center attendees, Suez governorate, Egypt

  • Abdulmajeed Ahmed,
  • Rabab A Mohamed,
  • Hamdy A Sliem,
  • Hebatallah Nour Eldein

DOI
https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2011.9.5.555
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9, no. 5

Abstract

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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common disorders diagnosed by gastroenterologists and a common cause of general practice visits [1]. It is widespread in all societies and socio-economic groups [2]. It is a common health problem affecting a substantial proportion of the population. Prevalence estimates usually range from 12.30% with rates vary significantly between countries and depend on the diagnostic criteria used [3]. American College of Gastroenterology IBS Task Force defined IBS as abdominal pain or discomfort that occurs in association with altered bowel habits over a period of at least 3 months [4]. Altered bowel function, with the predominant bowel symptom determining the sub-classification of IBS: IBS with constipation (IBS-C), IBS with diarrhea (IBS-D), or IBS with alternating symptoms of constipation or diarrhea (IBS-A) [5]. Doctors generally rely on symptom-based criteria. At least three sets of diagnostic criteria have been developed, including the Manning, Rome I and Rome II criteria. The Rome I and II criteria are more refined than the Manning criteria [6]. The Rome III updated criteria were published in April 2006. The principle difference between Rome III guidelines as compared with the Rome II criteria lies in the less restrictive timeframe for symptoms. Whereas the Rome II criteria require symptoms to be present for at least 12 weeks (not necessarily consecutive) in the past 12 months, the Rome III criteria require symptoms to originate for 6 months prior to diagnosis, and be currently active for 3 months [7]. Many IBS patients have psychological symptoms including depression, anxiety, tension, insomnia, frustration. The onset and course of IBS are strongly influenced by psychosocial factors. However, IBS-D and IBS-C were both associated only with high anxiety, but not depression, compared to the non-IBS control group [8]

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