Respiratory dysfunction in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Aim: To study the respiratory symptoms and respiratory functions markers in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Materials and Methods: The study included 40 patients with IBS, and 30 apparently healthy subjects. Pulmonary functions are performed using spirometry, including forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity, Forced Expiratory Volume/Forced Vital Capacity, peak expiratory flow rate. Classification of Irritable Bowel Syndrome subtypes performed according to the Rome III criteria.

Results: Respiratory symptom among patients with IBS was sputum in the most common 67.5%, cough 50%, and wheeze 30% and dyspnea 37.5%. The results of the current study also revealed a significant decrease in most markers of respiratory functions markers, these include: Forced Vital Capacity which was (2.59±0.12 L) in Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients as compared to healthy control group (2.82±0.06 L). A significant decrease in Forced Expiratory Volume was also recorded in patients (2.18±0.12 L) comparing to control subjects (2.42±0.73 L). Accordingly, the Forced Expiratory Volume/Forced Vital Capacity was also significantly decreased in patients 83.98%±1.21% in comparison to healthy individuals 85.85%±1.35%.

Conclusions: It was concluded that patients with irritable bowel syndrome exhibited a marked decreased in respiratory functions. It also seems that constipation is one of the underlining mechanisms for deterioration in the pulmonary functions and appearance of respiratory symptoms.