A Cross-Sectional Study of Risk Factors for Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children 8–13 Years of Age in Suzhou, China

Abstract

To determine the prevalence and risk factors of IBS in children 8–13 years of age in Suzhou city, a cross-sectional study was conducted on children in grades 1 through 6 in public elementary schools in three districts of Suzhou. A multistage stratified random-sampling survey was conducted in a primary investigation using standardized questionnaires. Rome II criteria were used to confirm IBS and their risk factors were analyzed. Of 8,000 questionnaires 7,472 responded satisfactorily for a response rate of 93.4%. IBS was diagnosed in 10.81%. A decrease in the prevalence of IBS was significantly associated with advancing age and grade in school (trend test, P < 0.05). The prevalence of IBS in females was higher but not significantly different than males. The significant risk factors for IBS included young age (OR = 0.94), food allergy (OR = 1.53), gastroenteritis during childhood (OR = 1.29), eating fried food (OR = 1.62), anxiety (OR = 1.49), psychological insults in early childhood (OR = 1.47), and parental history of constipation (OR = 1.81; all P < 0.05). IBS prevalence of 10.81% in study population warrants preventive measures such as encouraging dietary changes, preventing gastroenteritis and childhood psychological insults.

A systematic review of the prevalence and risk factors of irritable bowel syndrome among medical students

“…Similarly, it was found from a study conducted among the general population that there are associations be-tween the low socioeconomic condition, bad hygienic condition, and IBS (49). However, another study did not find a significant association between the economic status and IBS prevalence (50).…”

Irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease overlap syndrome: pieces of the puzzle are falling into place

“…In contrast, IBS is more variable, but the general trend has been on the increase, especially in affluent cities such as Singapore and Tokyo, while some reports indicate a common syndrome affecting both rural and urban populations 15161718…”

Gastrointestinal Manifestations in Diploid/Triploid Mixoploidy

“…Therefore, 16 studies were included in the final analysis ( Fig. 1) (6,(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29). The total number of patients in these studies was 38,076.…”

“…They were conducted in Japan (n ¼ 2) (6,20), Korea (n ¼ 3) (19,21,28), China (n ¼ 6) (16,17,22,23,26,29), Iran (n ¼ 1) (27), Saudi Arabia (n ¼ 1) (24), and Sri Lanka (n ¼ 3) (1,18,25). One paper from Japan (20) reported data from 2 separate studies, and we could clearly identify prevalence of IBS in children and adolescents in both studies.…”

“…Only 5 studies have studied the age-related prevalence (6,16,19,26,29). The age groups reported were diverse and therefore could not fit into an analytical model.…”