Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in Italian rural and urban areas

Abstract Background/aims No comparative studies are available, as yet, in Italy, concerning the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in urban and rural areas. The aim is to compare the prevalence of IBS in Italian urban and rural areas. Methods 950 subjects were randomly selected from each a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:European journal of internal medicine 2010-08, Vol.21 (4), p.324-326
Main Authors: Usai, Paolo, Manca, Roberto, Lai, Maria Antonia, Russo, Luigi, Boi, Maria Francesca, Ibba, Ivan, Giolitto, Giancarlo, Cuomo, Rosario
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Chi-Square Distribution
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Internal Medicine
Irritable bowel syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome - epidemiology
Italy - epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Rome II criteria
Rural area
Rural Population - statistics & numerical data
Sex Factors
Urban area
Urban Population - statistics & numerical data
Young Adult
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Summary:Abstract Background/aims No comparative studies are available, as yet, in Italy, concerning the prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in urban and rural areas. The aim is to compare the prevalence of IBS in Italian urban and rural areas. Methods 950 subjects were randomly selected from each area and completed a questionnaire regarding demographic data and the Rome II questionnaire. Results The prevalence of IBS was significantly ( p < 0.05) higher in the urban (9.9%), than in the rural area (4.4%). In the urban area, a significantly higher prevalence of IBS was observed in females than in males, 67/490 (13.7%) vs 27/460 (5.9%) ( p < 0.05), while no gender differences were present in the rural population. Conclusion In the urban area, we found a higher prevalence of IBS, and a significantly higher prevalence of IBS in females than in males, while no gender differences were present in the rural population.
ISSN:0953-6205
1879-0828
DOI:10.1016/j.ejim.2010.05.009