Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 5, 2026
Perturbations of Circulating miRNAs in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Detected Using a Multiplexed High-throughput Gene Expression Platform
Published on: November 30, 2016
Irritable bowel syndrome and dyspepsia in the general population: overlap and lack of stability over time
L Agréus1, K Svärdsudd, O Nyrén
1Department of Family Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Background & Aims:
It has been suggested that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia represent the same disease entity, the irritable gut. The aim of this study was to test the stability, consistency, and relevance of the current classification in the entire, unselected population of persons with gastrointestinal and/or abdominal symptoms, including those who had not consulted physicians.
Methods:
Sequential postal questionnaires were sent to 1290 representative persons (age range, 20-79 years) sampled from the population. Questions were asked about the prevalence of 24 gastrointestinal and/or abdominal symptoms and the site and type of abdominal pain, if any.
Results:
The prevalence of dyspepsia was 14% (32% if predominant reflux symptoms and concomitant IBS symptoms were included), and the prevalence of IBS was 12.5%. The 3-month incidence rates of reflux, dyspepsia, and IBS among previously symptomless persons were 0.5, 8, and 2 per 1000, respectively. Of persons with IBS, 87% also fulfilled the dyspepsia criteria, and the overlap between dyspepsia subgroups was more than 50%. The use of stricter criteria did not eliminate this overlap. Over a 1-year period, approximately 50% changed their symptom profile. Principal component analysis did not show any natural clustering of the symptoms.
Conclusions:
The separation of functional gastrointestinal symptoms into dyspepsia, its subgroups, and IBS may be inappropriate.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:30Other Disorders of Digestive System
01:17Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
01:30Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
01:26Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
01:23Irritable Bowel Syndrome