Post-infectious IBS: Defining its clinical features and prognosis using an internet-based survey

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Epidemiology
• Psychosomatic Medicine

Background:

• Gastrointestinal infections are a known risk factor for developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Understanding the characteristics of post-infectious IBS (PI-IBS) is crucial for differentiating it from other IBS subtypes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize patients with PI-IBS and compare their features to those with non-PI-IBS.
• To investigate potential demographic, clinical, and psychological differences between PI-IBS and other IBS presentations.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to IBS patients using the Rome III diagnostic criteria.
• Data collected included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-12 Somatic Symptom (PHQ12-SS) scores, and mode of onset.
• A total of 7811 participants were analyzed.

Main Results:

• 13.3% of participants met criteria for PI-IBS (1004 individuals).
• PI-IBS onset was often sudden, associated with travel, and frequently accompanied by vomiting, fever, or bloody diarrhea.
• PI-IBS was linked to living in Northern Europe/North America, prior hysterectomy, lack of appendicectomy, higher PHQ12-SS scores, and more frequent stools.

Conclusions:

• PI-IBS constitutes approximately 13% of IBS in this internet-based sample.
• While PI-IBS exhibits distinct characteristics, its overall prognosis appears similar to other forms of IBS.
• Recovery rates were notably lower in females, individuals with somatization, and those residing in North America or Northern Europe.