Allergic disease linked to irritable bowel syndrome

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Public release date: 30-Jan-2008

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-01/rumc-adl013008.php

Contact: Ann Schultz

mary_ann_schultz@...

Rush University Medical Center

Allergic disease linked to irritable bowel syndrome

Adults with allergy symptoms report a high incidence of Irritable Bowel

Syndrome (IBS), suggesting a link between atopic disorders and IBS

according to a study published this month in ls of Allergy, Asthma &

Immunology, the scientific journal of the American Collegeof Allergy,

Asthma and Immunology.

In a study of 125 adults, Rush University Medical Center's Dr. C.

Tobin and colleagues found the likelihood of IBS was significantly

higher in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (2.67 times),

patients with allergic eczema (3.85 times), and patients with depression

(2.56 times).

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, affecting 15 percent of the general

population, is a cluster of symptoms including abdominal pain for 12

weeks within the past year, change in stool consistency or frequency,

and relief of abdominal pain with defecation. Various findings suggest

indirectly that allergen exposure may lead to IBS symptoms in some

patients, but the frequency has not been studied.

" The reported presence of allergic dermatitis was highly correlated to

the presence of IBS in our population, " investigators noted. " 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. "

Asthma and Irritable Bowel Syndrome was reported by 12 of 41 patients

(29 percent), which is similar to findings in a previous report. Authors

propose 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. "

--

ne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar@... >

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