Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in first-degree relatives of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

Abstract

Background: Epidemiological studies have shown a greater prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) among first-degree relatives of patients diagnosed of these diseases. However, it is not known whether relatives of patients with IBD have a greater prevalence of IBS than the general population.

Aims: To analyse the prevalence of IBS among first-degree relatives by consanguinity (parents, siblings and offspring) and affinity (spouses) of patients with IBD.

Materials and methods: A prevalence study was conducted identifying 490 relatives of 91 patients with IBD. Of these, 404 met inclusion criteria; and 360 (response rate: 89.1%) answered the questionnaires. Subjects were invited to participate in the study through index cases (patients with IBD). The following variables were collected: age, sex, history of digestive diseases, kinship and cohabitation with the index case. The relatives completed a questionnaire to identify those who met Rome I and Rome II criteria for IBS.

Results: The overall prevalence of IBS among the first-degree relatives of patients with IBD was 49.4% and 10% according to Rome I and Rome II criteria respectively. IBS prevalence was higher in first-degree blood relatives than in spouses of patients (Rome I: 53.1% vs 29.1%, p=0.001; Rome II: 10.8% vs 5.4%, NS). No differences were found in IBS prevalence depending on whether relatives were living with the index case or not.

Conclusion: IBS prevalence in first-degree relatives of patients with IBD is elevated. It is significantly greater in blood relatives, which suggests involvement of genetic and psychological factors rather than environmental factors.