title: The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in outpatients with bulimia nervosa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examined the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in patients with bulimia nervosa (BN), and the relationship between these disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four participants with a diagnosis of BN or a related condition were recruited from an outpatient eating disorders service. Questionnaire and interview measures were used to assess bulimic symptoms and attitudes, IBS symptoms, anxiety and depression. Cases of IBS were identified using the Manning criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was a high prevalence of IBS in the patient group (68.8%), but IBS status was not predicted by any of the other variables measured. Patients who met criteria for IBS reported more frequent self-induced vomiting than those who did not (U = 256.0, p = 0.038).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is evidence of an high incidence of IBS in outpatients with BN, but the relationship between these conditions remains unclear. Future research should consider possible common risk factors.
authors: Section of Eating Disorders, Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, UK. hannah.dejong@kcl.ac.uk
authors: Hannah
authors: H
authors: Dejong
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Perkins
authors: Miriam
authors: M
authors: Grover
authors: Ulrike
authors: U
authors: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D052018:Bulimia Nervosa / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D043183:Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D010045:Outpatients; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires