April 11-2023

Who is at Risk of IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Awareness Month is a widely recognized and celebrated healthcare event held each April. Several international organizations organize various awareness programs and activities throughout the month to improve understanding of the early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention recommendations for irritable bowel syndrome.

IBS risk might increase due to several risk factor, which includes:

• Patients who are under the age of 50.
• Patients who are female.
• Patients with an IBS family history.
• Patients with anxiety, depression, or other mental health problems.
• Hormonal therapy (estrogen therapy) can also raise the risk during or after menopause.

Why is IBS Awareness Month Significant?

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by abdominal pain as major symptoms, diarrhea, constipation, flatulence mucus discharge with stools, and stool shape alterations. In Western and Asian countries, the prevalence of IBS ranges between 4-5% and 1-10%, respectively. 

IBS patients reported worse body pain, energy/fatigue, and social functioning. Early screening for IBS, particularly in high-risk populations, can lead to a more solid diagnosis of the illness in a shorter period, potentially lowering the disorder's significant economic and human costs.

Greater public knowledge of IBS can assist people in overcoming the stigma associated with their symptoms and seeking medical assistance sooner to obtain a diagnosis and effective treatment.

Ref:

1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Epidemiology. American College of Gastroenterology. (2018). https://gi.org/topics/irritable-bowel-syndrome/
2. The Rome IV criteria for the diagnosis of functional gastrointestinal disorders in secondary care. Gastroenterology, 1(1), 41-51. https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(16)00223-7/pdf
3. The Burden of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Global Perspective. Current Gastroenterology Reports, 19(5), 22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11894-017-0566-1
4. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic. (2021). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/irritable-bowel-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20360016
5. The Relationship Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Psychiatric Disorders: From Molecular Changes to Clinical Manifestations. Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, 66(4), 579-588. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12031-018-1228-4

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