SATURDAY, Feb. 16 (HealthDay News) -- There may be a link
between allergies and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in adults,
says a study by researchers at Rush University Medical Center in
Chicago.
IBS occurs in about 15 percent of the U.S. population. Some
studies have suggested that allergen exposure may lead to IBS
symptoms in some patients, but the frequency hadn't been
examined.
In this study, researchers looked at 125 adults and found the
likelihood of IBS was much higher in patients with allergic eczema
(3.85 times) and seasonal allergic rhinitis (2.67) times. They also
found that IBS was 2.56 times more likely in people with
depression.
"The reported presence of allergic dermatitis was highly
correlated to the presence of IBS in our population," the study
authors wrote. "In atopic disease, allergic dermatitis is the first
step of the 'atopic' march.' In early childhood, AE (allergic
eczema) is frequently associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction
and food allergy. A clinical history of AE may be a useful marker
for patients with gut hypersensitivity and atopic IBS."
The researchers also found that asthma and IBS were reported by
12 of 41 patients (29 percent), similar to findings in a previous
study. The researchers proposed that "this subgroup of IBS (atopic
IBS) be considered separately from patients with IBS without atopic
symptoms, because they may have distinct pathophysiologic features
and may benefit from specific therapeutic interventions."
The study was published recently in the
Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
More information
The U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases has more about
IBS.
