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Is irritable bowel syndrome associated with chronic hepatitis C?

Yasser M Fouad1, Madeha M Makhlouf, Hanna Khalaf

  • 1Department of Tropical Medicine, Health Insurance Hospital, Minya, Egypt. yasserfouad10@yahoo.com

Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
|July 3, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is significantly more common in patients with chronic hepatitis C (HCV) than in those with hepatitis B or healthy individuals. Female HCV patients and those with advanced fibrosis are at higher risk for IBS.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is frequently linked to fatigue and abdominal discomfort.
  • Hepatitis C affects millions globally, impacting liver health and patient quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C.
  • To compare IBS rates in hepatitis C patients against those with chronic hepatitis B and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 258 chronic HCV patients, 36 chronic HBV patients, and 160 healthy controls were analyzed.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) diagnosis was confirmed using the Rome III criteria questionnaire.
  • Clinical data, laboratory results, and patient demographics were systematically recorded.

Main Results:

  • IBS prevalence was markedly higher in chronic HCV patients (66%) compared to chronic HBV (22%) and controls (18%) (P < 0.001).
  • Among HCV patients, IBS with constipation was most frequent (51%), followed by mixed IBS (43%).
  • Female sex (91%) and higher fibrosis scores (F2-3, 45%) were significantly associated with IBS in HCV patients.

Conclusions:

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) demonstrates a significantly higher prevalence among individuals with chronic hepatitis C.
  • Female gender and advanced liver fibrosis are key risk factors for developing IBS in the context of chronic HCV infection.
Abstract

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