Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome: a community survey in an African population.
BACKGROUND
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been reported to be common in the West. Community surveys are lacking in the African setting. We determined the prevalence of IBS in a rural community setting in Nigeria.


METHODS
Questionnaires were administered to consenting individuals. Subjects satisfying the Rome II criteria for IBS were invited for physical examination at a health center to identify the presence of "alarm factors."


RESULTS
One hundred forty (31.6%) of the 443 evaluated individuals fulfilled the Rome II criteria for IBS, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.37:1 (P= .11). The prevalence of IBS was highest (39.3%) in the third decade, followed by 25% in the fourth decade (P= .009). Ninety-six (67%) IBS individuals had the alternating pattern of diarrhea and constipation, whereas 28 (20%) and 19 (13%) had constipation and diarrhea subtypes, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
IBS as diagnosed by the Rome II criteria has a high prevalence in the African rural population, as obtained elsewhere.
Okeke
Edith N
EN
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. edinony@yahoo.com
Ladep
Nimzing G
NG
Adah
Steven
S
Bupwatda
Pokop W
PW
Agaba
Emmanuel I
EI
Malu
Abraham O
AO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D044383:Black People; D003248:Constipation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003625:Data Collection; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult