Review article: epidemiology of IBS and other bowel disorders of gut–brain interaction (DGBI)

Abstract

SummaryThe disorders of gut–brain interactions (DGBI) are a spectrum of gastrointestinal (GI) disorders that involve the entire GI tract and are usually categorised into four major anatomic GI regions, oesophageal, gastroduodenal, bowel and anorectal. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a bowel DGBI, is one of the most researched DGBI and has been the subject of copious epidemiological studies. Prevalence rates are based on diagnostic criteria. In the case of IBS, there are three central obstacles to attaining a clear picture of prevalence: the absence of biomarkers, the multitude of diagnostic criteria used over the years, and the heterogeneous nature of the methodology used in epidemiologic surveys. When the results of multiple studies, conducted over a long period of time, using different diagnostic criteria and different research methodology, and involving different study populations are pooled to determine a single summary prevalence rate it is difficult to interpret the results and to determine their reliability and significance. This pitfall is insufficiently recognised and unfortunate because prevalence rates are important for understanding the burden of disease, for allocating healthcare and research resources, and for incentivising and prioritising new treatments. The aims of the present paper are to highlight our knowledge and understanding of IBS epidemiology within the context of other DGBI, and to present strategies to improve epidemiological research, especially in advance of the new Rome V criteria, to be published in 2026.

Prevalence, epidemiology and associated healthcare burden of Rome IV irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia in the adult population of Gibraltar

“…The relationship of sex and age to DGBI prevalence in our results was generally in line with the existing literature suggesting that these disorders are more common in young individuals, gradually diminishing with age and have female predominance. 10 FD was a much less frequent diagnosis than IBS in the medical history of our participants even though our data show it is more prevalent in Gibraltar than IBS when identified by Rome IV criteria. This could highlight once more how the lack of using Rome criteria in the daily clinical practice can leave patients wrongly or undiagnosed, potentially resulting in inadequate medication use with little therapeutic success or patient satisfaction.…”

“…The relationship of sex and age to DGBI prevalence in our results was generally in line with the existing literature suggesting that these disorders are more common in young individuals, gradually diminishing with age and have female predominance. 10 …”

Epidemiology and Burden of Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction in Romania: A Subgroup Analysis of the Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study

“…The term "functional gastrointestinal diseases" (FGID) has been replaced by DGBI, which better depicts the etiology of these disorders as it is understood today and eliminates the dichotomy of "organic" vs. "functional" involvement [2].…”

Abdominophrenic Dyssynergia: A Narrative Review

“…Because of the paucity of studies on APD, its prevalence is largely unknown. Presumably, given the high global prevalence of DGBIs (approximately 40%) and the association between DGBIs and APD, APD is likely a common and under-recognized phenomenon ( 17 ). APD may be more likely in women than in men, paralleling other DGBIs.…”