The prevalence of IBS symptoms in the population studied is one of the highest described. Therefore, health teams should have the necessary knowledge and skill required for its management.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort that is associated with altered bowel habit. Both its prevalence and clinical characteristics vary throughout Latin America. A percentage of patients does not seek medical attention, therefore a reliable prevalence figure can only be established by interviewing non-selected populations. Aims: To study the prevalence and clinical characteristics of IBS symptoms in non-selected subjects in Santiago, Chile. Methods: A total of 437 shopping mall visitors above the age of 15 years (246 women) participated in the study by answering the Rome II validated questionnaire for IBS. The demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, comorbidities, and a family history of IBS were registered. Results: A total of 64.1% subjects reported having gastrointestinal symptoms and 28.6% had symptoms suggestive of IBS. When the subjects with IBS symptoms were compared with the asymptomatic individuals, a predominance of women (65.6 vs 42.9, p < 0.001) and a greater cholecystectomy frequency (33.6 vs 12.9% p < 0.05) were observed in the former. The age of symptom onset was 30.4 years. An equal percentage of subjects (42.4%) presented with diarrhea and constipation and 15.2% presented with alternating IBS. Participants with a higher educational level reported a lower percentage of IBS (p < 0.05). A family history of the disease was present in 40% of the subjects with IBS, compared with 14.9% in the asymptomatic individuals (p < 0.05). Only 39.2% of the subjects had seen a physician for their symptoms and the treatment and tests ordered were inappropriate.A.M. Madrid-Silva et al. Conclusions:The prevalence of IBS symptoms in the population studied is one of the highest described. Therefore, health teams should have the necessary knowledge and skill required for its management. Síndrome de intestino irritable; Prevalencia; Población general; Santiago; Chile Prevalencia de síntomas de intestino irritable en población asistente a centros comerciales de Santiago de Chile ResumenAntecedentes: El síndrome de intestino irritable (SII) es un trastorno funcional digestivo caracterizado por dolor o malestar abdominal, asociado a alteraciones del hábito intestinal. Tanto prevalencia como características clínicas son variables en Latinoamerica. Un porcentaje de pacientes no consulta, la real prevalencia sólo puede establecerse encuestando población no seleccionada. Objetivos: Estudiar la prevalencia y características clínicas de síntomas de SII en sujetos no seleccionados de Santiago, Chile. Métodos: Participaron 437 mayores de 15 años (246 mujeres), asistentes a centros comerciales, quienes respondieron el cuestionario validado de Roma II para SII. Se registraron, antecedentes demográficos, socioeconómicos, comorbilidades y antecedentes familiares de SII. Resultados: Un 64,1% relató síntomas digestivos, 28,6% síntomas sugerentes de SII. Comparando sujetos con síntomas de SII con asintomáticos se observó en los primeros: predo...