The incidence and risk factors of irritable bowel syndrome after bacterial dysentery in Korea: preliminary results from ongoing study

Abstract

Introduction There have been few reports performed to determine the incidence and risk factors of IBS after microbiologically proven bacterial gastroenteritis among community subjects in Asian countries, especially in Korea. Methods This is a prospective, community-based, cohort study whereby all patients with microbiologically proven bacterial gastroenteritis were recruited from Gyeonggi Province, Korea. Eligible patients who consented to participate were interviewed through telephone calls using a standardized questionnaire. IBS was diagnosed with the use of ROME II criteria at baseline, 3 and 6 months after bacterial dysentery. Results 109 patients with bacterial gastroenteritis were reported between 1 January 2008 and 31 January 2009 in Gyeonggi Province. Of the 109 patients, 68 patients between the ages of 15 and 75 years participated. 12 patients were excluded due to preexisting IBS, inability to provide informed consent, current psychiatric illnesses, history of abdominal surgery and chronic illnesses including malignancy. Of the remaining 56 patients, 4 patients (7.1%) had IBS symptoms during initial 3 month after bacterial gastroenteritis. Of the 42 patients who completed a 6 month follow-up questionnaire, 2 patients (4.8%) were diagnosed with IBS. There was no association between symptoms during acute enteric infection and the risk for the development of post-infectious IBS. Conclusion These preliminary results showed that the incidence of irritable bowel syndrome 3 and 6 months after bacterial gastroenteritis among community subjects was 7.1 and 4.8%, respectively. This ongoing study using large number of patients may provide the incidence and the risk factors of IBS after bacterial gastroenteritis.