The prevalence of irritable bowel symptoms in a population of shopping mall visitors in Santiago de Chile Prevalencia de sintomas de intestino irritable en poblacioacute;n asistente a centros comerciales de Santiago de Chile

Abstract

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort that is associated with altered bowel habit. Both its prevalence and clinical characteristics vary throughout Latin America. A percentage of patients does not seek medical attention, therefore a reliable prevalence figure can only be established by interviewing non-selected populations. Aims: To study the prevalence and clinical characteristics of IBS symptoms in non-selected subjects in Santiago, Chile. Methods: A total of 437 shopping mall visitors above the age of 15 years (246 women) participated in the study by answering the Rome II validated questionnaire for IBS. The demographic and socioeconomic backgrounds, comorbidities, and a family history of IBS were registered. Results: A total of 64.1% subjects reported having gastrointestinal symptoms and 28.6% had symptoms suggestive of IBS. When the subjects with IBS symptoms were compared with the asympto