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Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome

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Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects 8% to 22% of the general population. Although patients describe an insidious onset of symptoms, including abdominal pain relieved with bowel movements, excessive intestinal gas, variable bowel habits, and abdominal bloating, a subgroup of individuals describe the onset of IBS symptoms following an episode of acute gastroenteritis, known as post-infectious IBS (PI-IBS). Several studies have demonstrated the development of IBS following infection. Risk factors for the development of PI-IBS are female sex and longer duration of initial illness. Although the underlying mechanism of PI-IBS is unclear, ongoing inflammation is clearly a factor in the pathogenesis. The underlying inflammatory process results in increased enterochromaffin cells, T-lymphocytes, intestinal permeability, colonic transit time, and a variety of immunologic abnormalities. PI-IBS patients tend to have a better prognosis than do those with idiopathic IBS, with resolution of symptoms within 5 to 6 years. Treatment is similar to that of idiopathic IBS.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Naval Medical Center, 34800 Bob Wilson Drive, 92134, San Diego, CA, USA

    Dolores Y. Rhodes MD

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  1. Dolores Y. Rhodes MD
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  2. Mark Wallace MD
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Correspondence to Dolores Y. Rhodes MD.

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Rhodes, D.Y., Wallace, M. Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 8, 327–332 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-006-0054-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-006-0054-0

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