Association and symptom characteristics of irritable bowel syndrome among bronchial asthma patients in Kuwait.
BACKGROUND
Excess prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in asthma has been reported, suggesting a link between these two conditions.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and asthma, and explore the symptoms of IBS among asthma patients in Kuwait.


METHODS
Case control study.


METHODS
In a tertiary center, for allergy and asthma, 138 patients aged 20-65 years, with asthma, diagnosed clinically and by spirometry, were compared with 145 healthy, non-asthmatic controls matched for age, gender and nationality. Cases and controls completed a self-administered questionnaire of irritable bowel syndrome diagnosis (ROME II criteria).


METHODS
The data were analyzed using SPSS software, and proportions were tested with Chi-square or Fisher's test. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were calculated to identify the associated risk factors. The demographic variables were selected for logistic regression analysis.


RESULTS
A significantly large proportion (39.13%) of asthmatics had IBS as compared to 7.93% controls (P < 0.001). A higher proportion of females with IBS were observed in cases and controls (74%, 61.54%). IBS was seen in 87% cases using inhalers, and in 13% with additional oral theophylline (P < 0.001). As many as 66.6% cases, had IBS with relatively short duration of asthma (1-5 years, P < 000). Predominant symptoms of IBS in asthmatics were abdominal discomfort or distension (64.8% vs. 11.5%), (P < 0.000, OR = 14.1; 95%CI: 3.748-53.209), bloated feeling of abdomen (74.1% vs. 34.62% (P < 0.001, OR = 5.38; 95%CI:1.96-14.84)), increased frequency of stools (63%, P < 0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
Irritable bowel syndrome in asthmatics was significantly high, more in the female asthmatics. Abdominal discomfort, persistent bloated feeling, increased frequency of passing stools were the most common IBS symptoms observed.
Panicker
Radhakrishna
R
Al-Rashed Allergy Centre, Ministry of Health, Kuwait. drnrpanicker@yahoo.co.uk
Arifhodzic
Nermina
N
Al Ahmad
Mona
M
Ali
Seham Ahmed
SA