[An epidemiologic study of irritable bowel syndrome among adolescents in China].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and its distribution characteristics among adolescents in China.


METHODS
A stratified and randomized study by cluster sampling was employed, the study recruited 51 956 students from high and primary schools in different Chinese cities. All students were requested to fill in a questionnaire.


RESULTS
The prevalence of IBS in China was 53.5% according to the Manning criterion and 20.2% according to the Rome II criterion. The prevalence in male and female students showed no significant difference (P>0.05), but there was higher prevalence of IBS in high school students. The prevalence of IBS was 53.3% according to the Manning criterion and 19.6% according to the Rome II criterion in south China. The prevalence of IBS was 51.2% according to the Manning criterion and 18.9% according to the Rome II criterion in North China. The prevalence of IBS was 58.0% according to the Manning criterion and 23.4% according to the Rome II criterion in west China.


CONCLUSIONS
IBS is a common disorder among the adolescents and the prevalence of IBS is increasing with increase of age in adolescents.
Li
Ding-guo
DG
Department of Gastroenterology, Xinhua Hospital, Medical College of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200092, China. dingguo_li@263.net
Zhou
Hui-qing
HQ
Song
Yan-yan
YY
Zong
Chun-hua
CH
Hu
Ying
Y
Xu
Xiao-xing
XX
Lu
Han-ming
HM
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires