Frequency and severity of irritable bowel syndrome in cigarette smokers, Turkey 2019

Cigarette smoking has recently been associated with several gastrointestinal symptoms, and smoking cessation has been recommended as a lifestyle change strategy for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This study assessed the prevalence of IBS in cigarette smokers based on the Rome IV criteria, the severity of nicotine dependence, and the effect of smoking cessation in smokers with IBS.

This prospective study included 371 smokers who attended smoking cessation treatment at family medicine clinics in a tertiary hospital between January and April 2019, in Turkey. Data on demographic characteristics, IBS status according to the Rome IV criteria, and Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND) scores were collected during face-to-face interviews.

The mean patient age was 40.7 ± 11.96 years. Out of the total patients, 29.4% were heavy smokers, and 18.1% had IBS. There was a significant difference in age (p=0.03), duration of smoking (p=0.05), FTND score (p=0.02), and sex (p<0.001) between those with and without IBS. Logistic regression analyses identified female sex as a predictor of IBS in smokers (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=1.78; 95% CI: 1.18-2.69; p=0.006). At follow-up at 1 year, IBS(+) smokers who had quit smoking showed decreased gastrointestinal symptoms (p=0.035).

FTND score was higher in IBS(+) smokers than in IBS(-) smokers. Smoking cessation ameliorated gastrointestinal symptoms but did not affect IBS status.