Self-reported IBS and gastrointestinal symptoms in the general population are associated with asthma, drug consumption and a family history of gastrointestinal diseases

Objective: The prevalence of functional gastrointestinal (FGI) symptoms and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is high in the society, but the etiology is mainly unknown. This population-based, cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations between self-reported IBS or gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms within the past 2 weeks and concomitant diseases, drug consumption and family history of diseases. Material and methods: Participants from the Malmö Offspring Study (MOS) answered a questionnaire about lifestyle habits, medical history and GI symptoms. Associations between self-reported IBS or GI symptoms and other diseases, drugs, and family history of diseases were calculated by logistic regression, adjusted for false discovery rate (FDR; q < 0.05). Results: Of 2648 included patients, 316 had IBS and 459 had GI symptoms. There was an association between IBS and asthma (OR: 1.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19–2.32; q = 0.018), and between IBS and using of prescription (OR: 1.44; 95% CI: 1.10–1.89; q = 0.028) and nonprescription drugs (OR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.43–2.59; q < 0.001), specifically adrenergic beta-antagonists, antihistamines and hypnotics. Regarding family history, GI disease in the family (OR: 2.44; 95% CI: 1.78–3.35; q < 0.001) and the subgroups celiac disease, gastric ulcer, functional dyspepsia, IBS and reflux, as well as prostate cancer were associated with IBS, while GI diseases (OR: 2.56; 95% CI: 1.89–3.46; q < 0.001), joint diseases (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.19–2.16; q = 0.009), and myocardial infarction (OR: 1.48; 95% CI: 1.09–2.99; q = 0.043) were associated with GI symptoms. Abdominal pain was the specific symptom with strongest associations. Conclusions: IBS and GI symptoms were mainly associated with GI diseases in the family and drug consumption. To take a family and drug history is pertinent to all clinical history taking, irrespective of the symptomatology