Prevalence and predictors of irritable bowel syndrome in patients with morbid obesity: a cross-sectional study

Martin Aasbrenn,Per G Farup,Stian Lydersen,Jon Kristinsson,Tom Mala,Inger Eribe,Ingvild Høgestøl

doi:10.1186/s40608-017-0159-z

Abstract

BackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome has been reported as more common in patients with morbid obesity than in the general population. The reason for this association is unknown. The aims of this study were to study the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and other functional bowel disorders in patients with morbid obesity, and to search for predictors of irritable bowel syndrome.MethodsPatients opting for bariatric surgery at two obesity centers in South-Eastern Norway were included. Functional bowel disorders were diagnosed according to the Rome III criteria. Predictors were evaluated in a multivariable logistic regression analysis with irritable bowel syndrome as the dependent variable.ResultsA total of 350 (58%) out of 603 consecutive patients were included. The prevalence rates of irritable bowel syndrome at the two centers were 17/211 (8%) and 37/139 (27%) respectively. High low-density lipoprotein (OR 2.10; 95% CI 1.34–3.29), self-reported psychiatric disorders (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.12–5.08) and center (OR 5.22; 95% CI 2.48–10.99) were independent predictors of irritable bowel syndrome.ConclusionsAt one of the two obesity centers, the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome was threefold higher than in the general population in the same region. The high prevalence appears to be related to dietary differences or altered absorption or metabolism of fat. Attention to irritable bowel syndrome is important in the care of patients with morbid obesity.

Highlights

Irritable bowel syndrome has been reported as more common in patients with morbid obesity than in the general population
Most reports indicate that Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is more common in patients with morbid obesity than in the general population, with prevalence rates from 8 to 31% in small series [8,9,10,11,12]
The aims of this study were to explore the prevalence of IBS, subtypes of IBS and other functional bowel disorders and to search for predictors of IBS in two groups of patients with morbid obesity

Summary

Introduction

Irritable bowel syndrome has been reported as more common in patients with morbid obesity than in the general population The reason for this association is unknown. Most reports indicate that IBS is more common in patients with morbid obesity than in the general population, with prevalence rates from 8 to 31% in small series [8,9,10,11,12]. The reason for this association is unknown [13]. Insights into the risk factors of IBS among patients with morbid obesity might help to prevent this burdensome condition in patients with obesity, and improve our knowledge of the general pathophysiology of IBS

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