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Abdominal bloating frequency and clinical burden in irritable bowel syndrome classified using an operationalized Rome
Sukunya Thongchuenjit1, Xingyang Luo1, Hui Yuan2
1Gastroenterology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, China.
Revista Espanola De Enfermedades Digestivas
|August 4, 2026
Summary
Nearly half of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients experience weekly abdominal bloating. This symptom is linked to increased severity, psychological distress, reduced quality of life, and higher healthcare use in IBS patients.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Clinical Medicine
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Background:
- Abdominal bloating is a common symptom in Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
- The frequency and clinical associations of bloating in IBS are not fully understood.
- This study addresses the need for characterization of bloating frequency and its impact on IBS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the frequency of abdominal bloating in IBS patients.
- To assess the association between weekly bloating and clinical burden in IBS.
- To utilize an operationalized Rome V algorithm for IBS classification.
Main Methods:
- Prospective recruitment of IBS patients.
- Cross-sectional analysis of baseline data.
- Validated questionnaires assessed gastrointestinal symptoms, psychological comorbidities, and quality of life.
- Patients classified by bloating frequency (≥1 day/week vs. <1 day/week).
- Multivariable logistic regression used to identify independent associations.
Main Results:
- 47.6% of 443 IBS patients reported bloating ≥1 day/week.
- Weekly bloating associated with greater IBS symptom severity and functional dyspepsia overlap.
- Patients with weekly bloating reported higher psychological comorbidity across five domains.
- Poorer quality of life and increased healthcare utilization (clinic and ED visits) observed in patients with weekly bloating.
- Functional dyspepsia, gastrointestinal, anxiety, and somatic symptom burden independently associated with weekly bloating.
Conclusions:
- Weekly abdominal bloating affects nearly half of IBS patients.
- Bloating frequency is a significant indicator of greater clinical burden in IBS.
- Associated factors include increased symptom severity, psychological distress, and poorer quality of life.
- Assessing bloating frequency can help identify IBS patients needing more intensive management.
- Findings consistent with Rome IV criteria support the generalizability of the results.
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