[An epidemiological and quality of life study of irritable bowel syndrome in Zhejiang province].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence and quality of life (QOL)on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients in Zhejiang province, and to evaluate the applying of Chinese version of the SF-36 questionnaire on IBS.


METHODS
From Jan 2001 through Jan 2002, IBS patients from city, island, countryside and suburban in 10 hospitals in Zhejiang province were recruited to the study. 662 Roma II criteria-positive IBS patients completed the demographic checklists, symptoms questionnaire and QOL by Chinese version of the SF-36. We compared the demographic characteristics of IBS with the general population in Zhejiang province. The previously reported SF-36 (Chinese vision) data in general population were considered normative QOL.


RESULTS
(1) Male to female was 0.89:1. Compared with general population, IBS was more common in female (P < 0.05), adults in 25 - 50 years old (P < 0.001), and among high educated and cadres samples (P < 0.001). (2) The dominant symptoms in IBS included the change of stool formation (79.1%), abnormal of processing of stool (67.9%), abdominal pain (67.7%), abdominal distention (63.2%) and mucous stool (49.8%). Besides colonic symptoms, IBS can cause generalized body discomfort and psychosocial problems. (3) IBS patients experienced significant impairment in QOL. Decrements are most pronounced in vitality, general health, mental health and bodily pain scales. (4) Compared with the general population in Hangzhou city (adjusted to gender and age), IBS patients scored significantly lower on all SF-36 scales (P < 0.001), with the exception of physical function scale. There was a significant correlation between symptom scores and all 8 SF-36 scales.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of IBS had a close correlation with sex, age, education and profession. IBS patients experience significant impairment in QOL. The Chinese version of the SF-36 Health Survey Scales may be a useful measurement of IBS patients. These data offer further insight into epidemiology and the impact of IBS on patient functional status and well-being of Chinese.
Si
Jian-min
JM
Department of Gastroenterology Institution, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China. sijm@163.net
Chen
Shu-jie
SJ
Sun
Lei-min
LM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life