Impact of sex and gender on irritable bowel syndrome.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional bowel disorder characterized by abdominal pain and change in defecation pattern. This review addresses the topic of possible sex (genetic, biological) and gender (experiential, perceptual) differences in individuals with and without IBS. Several observations make the topic important. First, there is a predominance of women as compared to men who seek health care services for IBS in the United States and other industrialized societies. Second, menstrual cycle-linked differences are observed in IBS symptom reports. Third, women with IBS tend to report greater problems with constipation and nongastrointestinal complaints associated with IBS. Fourth, serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonist and 5-HT4 partial agonist drugs appear to more effectively diminish reports of bowel pattern disruption in women with IBS as compared to men. This review examines sex and gender modulation of gastrointestinal motility and transit, visceral pain sensitivity, autonomic nervous system function, serotonin biochemistry, and differences in health care-seeking behavior for IBS.
Heitkemper
Margaret
M
Dept. of Biobehavioral Nursing & Health Systems, Box 357266, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. heit@u.washington.edu
Jarrett
Monica
M
Bond
Eleanor F
EF
Chang
Lin
L
D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D003109:Colonic Diseases, Functional / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008598:Menstruation / Q000502:physiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011985:Receptors, Serotonin / Q000187:drug effects; D044422:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT4; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012723:Sex; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D011985:Receptors, Serotonin; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D017366:Serotonin Receptor Agonists; D044422:Receptors, Serotonin, 5-HT4; D012701:Serotonin