Review article: gender-related differences in functional gastrointestinal disorders

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Pain Perception Research
• Neuroscience and Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) and chronic visceral pain conditions are more prevalent in women.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) exhibits a 2:1 female-to-male prevalence ratio, with women reporting more constipation, bloating, and extracolonic symptoms.
• While animal studies show gender-related pain differences, human evidence is recent, suggesting physiological or hormonal influences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate gender-related differences in pain perception and processing in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• To explore potential physiological and hormonal factors contributing to observed gender disparities in FGIDs.
• To assess if specific stimulation and neuroimaging techniques can detect these gender-related differences.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing rectosigmoid balloon distension paradigms to assess visceral perception.
• Employing positron emission tomography (PET) to measure regional brain activation patterns.
• Comparing perceptual responses and neuroimaging data between male and female IBS patients.

Main Results:

• Preliminary findings indicate specific perceptual alterations in female IBS patients during rectosigmoid balloon distension.
• Differences in regional brain activation patterns were observed between genders in IBS patients.
• Evidence suggests gender-related variations in how IBS patients perceive and process visceral stimuli.

Conclusions:

• Gender-related differences in symptoms and visceral perception exist in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• These differences can be identified using targeted visceral stimulation and advanced neuroimaging techniques.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms behind gender-specific pain modulation in FGIDs.