title: Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Singapore and Its Association with Dietary, Lifestyle, and Environmental Factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has risen considerably over the past decade in Singapore. We aim to explore the contribution of changes in diet, lifestyle and habits that may contribute to the increased prevalence and development of IBS.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a survey-based cross-sectional population study aimed to gather demographic, socio-economical, lifestyle, dietary, antibiotic usage and other related information. Subjects were adult male or female Singaporeans aged 21 years or above. Association of the factors gathered with the presence or absence of IBS (by Rome III criteria) was assessed using chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Variables with a level of statistical significance of 0.1 or less in the univariate analysis were entered into a stepwise logistic regression model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 297 subjects participated in the study (female 60.3%). Overall, 20.9% subjects fulfilled the Rome III IBS criteria. Univariate analysis showed that IBS was associated with pet ownership, antibiotic usage, late dinner, (> 9 PM) and consumption of Western meals, coffee, and bread. The multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that IBS was independently associated with being a pet owner (P= 0.008; OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.278-5.037).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of IBS was 20.9% using the Rome III criteria in our study. The association between IBS and pet ownership will need further investigation.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Hospital, Singapore.|Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Kewin T H
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Siah
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Hospital, Singapore.|Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Reuben K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Biostatistics Unit, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, NUHS, Singapore.
authors.forename: Yiong H
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Hospital, Singapore.|Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Khek Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, University Medicine Cluster, National University Hospital, Singapore.|Department of Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.
authors.forename: Kok-Ann
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Gwee
keywords: Epidemiology; Irritable bowel syndrome; Pets