title: The clinical significances of irritable bowel syndrome in Taiwan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  According to the Rome III definition, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been a biopsychosocial dysfunction. We tried to know whether the IBS clinical manifestations were comparable to other countries.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have reviewed the IBS publications in Taiwan, thus its clinical significances are summarized and compared to others.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among a selected population of paid physical checkup, the Rome I & II criteria defined prevalences were 17.5% and 22.1%, respectively without an observed female predominance. However, female was a factor leading to constipation predominant IBS (C-IBS). Taiwan IBS patients did excessively consume society resource in terms of physician visits and absenteeism. They also had more chance of cholecystectomy, whereas normal appendix was often found in case of appendectomy. Overlapping extra-colonic manifestations, e.g. dyspepsia and lower urinary tract symptoms were common. Helicobacter pylori infection and female gender were closely related to the coexisted dyspepsia. Various psychiatric disturbances were also confirmed here. Intestinal transit correlated well with bowel symptoms, e.g. slow in constipation but fast in diarrhea. Diminished cholinergic activity was observed among the C-IBS patients. Various agents including mebeverine, pinaverium, peppermint oil, smectitie and tegarserod did somewhat improve IBS symptoms. Unfortunately, the IBS knowledge was not well understood among the medical professionals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IBS is common in Taiwan, its impacts on the society are similarly observed while female gender often results in severe impacts. Disordered motility and cholinergic nervous system are likely some of its pathogeneses. Current recommended treatments are effectively demonstrated.
authors: Division of Gastroenterology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, and Institute of Brain Science, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Full-Young
authors: FY
authors: Chang
authors: Ching-Liang
authors: CL
authors: Lu
mesh_terms: D044466:Asian People; D005260:Female; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents