title: Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Iran: SEPAHAN Systematic Review No. 1.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder. Due to its high prevalence and absence of curative therapy, IBS has the potential to create tremendous burden on the health care system. Herein, we systematically reviewed the published literature to investigate the epidemiology of IBS in Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies that were reviewed in this article were primarily identified through four online bibliographic databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Iran Medex, and Scientific Information Database. Manual search of reference lists was carried out to identify any additional studies such as relevant abstracts and also recent review articles which may have been missed. Potentially related studies were retrieved and the selection criteria were applied. Eligible articles were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 4176 studies identified, 18 eligible studies were included. It was reported that in Iran, the prevalence of IBS was in the range of 1.1% to 25% and was more common in women. In addition, the difference in frequency of different age groups was minimal. There was a minimal difference in IBS prevalence within different age groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Iran, the incidence of IBS was in the wide range. Since there are not enough population-based studies, researchers should focus on developing well-designed population-based studies to determine the epidemiology of IBS in Iran. Moreover, cohort studies should be conducted in order to investigate the natural history of IBS. Investigating the etiology of IBS and attempt to organize health promotion programs are highly suggested.
authors: Medical Students' Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Pegah
authors: P
authors: Jahangiri
authors: Marsa Sadat Hashemi
authors: MS
authors: Jazi
authors: Ammar Hassanzadeh
authors: AH
authors: Keshteli
authors: Shirin
authors: S
authors: Sadeghpour
authors: Ehssan
authors: E
authors: Amini
authors: Peyman
authors: P
authors: Adibi