title: Irritable bowel syndrome in adults over 35 years in Shiraz, southern Iran: prevalence and associated factors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are common in the general population. The aim of this population-based study was to determine the prevalence of IBS and describe the associated factors including demographic, life style and health-seeking behaviors in Shiraz city, southern Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  From April to September 2004, 1978 subjects aged > 35 years old completed a validated and reliable questionnaire on IBS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence rate of IBS was 10.9%, higher in females, in 35-44 years old age group and among subjects eating fast food (14.1%) but was lower in those taking more fruits and vegetables (10.5%). The occurrence of anxiety, nightmare and restlessness was also significantly higher in subjects with IBS. It had an association with psychological distress and recurrent headaches but not with drinking tea/coffee, smoking or physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our area, IBS was correlated with gender, age, psychological distress, recurrent headaches and consumption of fast foods that necessitate health planning programs by health policy makers.
authors.affiliation: Professor of Gastroenterology, Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Nemazee Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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authors.lastname: Khademolhosseini
authors.forename: Davood
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mehrabani
authors.forename: Marzieh
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authors.lastname: Nejabat
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authors.forename: Najaf
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zare
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saberi-Firoozi
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