Time: 2024-07-20
In a recent study published in the journal Neurogastroenterology , researchers have delved into the prevalence of post - infectious irritable bowel syndrome ( PI - IBS ) and post - infectious function dyspepsia ( PI - FD ) following acute gastroenteritis . Acute infectious gastroenteritis disrupts the gut - brain axis , increasing the risk of developing IBS and FD . These functional gastrointestinal diseases , now referred to as disorders of gut - brain interaction ( DGBI ) , are the most common conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract.
The study examined the prevalence of PI - IBS and PI - FD , with 15 % of study participants having PI - IBS compared to 13 % for PI - FD . The North American continent had the highest prevalence of PI - IBS and PI - IFD at 19 % and 26 % , respectively . Moreover , the most frequently reported IBS subtype was IBS with diarrhea ( IBS - D ) , which was identified in 46 % of cases . Chronicity was also observed , with IBS persisting in 50 % of cases one to four years later.
A study published in Gut by researchers from the Universit Cattolica del Sacro Cuore - Fondazione Policlinico Gemelli sheds light on the connection between irritable bowel syndrome ( IBS ) and Covid-19 or traveler 's diarrhea . IBS , a disorder of the intestine - brain axis , affects 20 - 40 % of the Italian population , with a predilection for women and the age group between 20 and 50 years . The study highlights Sars Cov-2 and aggressive bacteria for the intestine as potential causes of IBS post - gastroenteritis . Anxiety disorders before the gastroenteritis episode triple the risk of developing IBS.
The research revealed that after an episode of gastrointestinal infection , IBS symptoms appear in 7 in 6 people , persisting for 11 - 5 months in at least half of affected individuals . The greatest occurrence of IBS was observed after acute gastroenteritis due to Campylobacter , with a five - fold increased risk of PI - IBS after infection with Proteobacteria or Sars Cov-2 . The study emphasizes the importance of not underestimating patients with IBS and the need for careful monitoring after an episode of acute gastroenteritis.
The study also highlighted that risk factors for PI - IBS included female sex and prior hospitalization , increasing the risk by significant percentages . Infectious agents like Campylobacter , Proteobacteria , and Sars Cov-2 were associated with a higher likelihood of developing IBS post - gastroenteritis . The pathophysiology of IBS remains unclear , with the risk of underestimating and under - treating patients due to misconceptions about the disorder.
Overall , the research findings underscore the need for improved understanding and management of post - infectious irritable bowel syndrome and its connection to acute gastroenteritis . As gastroenteritis is a prevalent condition globally , the study 's implications could be crucial from a public health perspective , urging healthcare providers to closely monitor patients for the development of these disorders after a bout of acute gastroenteritis.
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