Natural History of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Women and Dysmenorrhea: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study

Background. Studies have shown that women are more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and more women seek healthcare because of IBS than men. Aim. We wanted to examine the natural history of IBS and dysmenorrhea in women over a 10-year period and to assess the change in IBS after menopaus...

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Main Authors: Linda Bjork Olafsdottir, Hallgrimur Gudjonsson, Heidur Hrund Jonsdottir, Einar Björnsson, Bjarni Thjodleifsson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2012-01-01
Series:Gastroenterology Research and Practice
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/534204
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author Linda Bjork Olafsdottir
Hallgrimur Gudjonsson
Heidur Hrund Jonsdottir
Einar Björnsson
Bjarni Thjodleifsson
author_facet Linda Bjork Olafsdottir
Hallgrimur Gudjonsson
Heidur Hrund Jonsdottir
Einar Björnsson
Bjarni Thjodleifsson
author_sort Linda Bjork Olafsdottir
collection DOAJ
description Background. Studies have shown that women are more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and more women seek healthcare because of IBS than men. Aim. We wanted to examine the natural history of IBS and dysmenorrhea in women over a 10-year period and to assess the change in IBS after menopause. Method. A population-based postal study. A questionnaire was mailed to the same age- and gender-stratified random sample of the Icelandic population aged 18–75 in 1996 and again in 2006. Results. 77% premenopausal women had dysmenorrhea in the year 1996 and 74% in 2006. 42% of women with dysmenorrhea had IBS according to Manning criteria in the year 2006 and 49% in 1996. 26% of women with dysmenorrhea had IBS according to Rome III 2006 and 11% in the year 1996. In 2006 30% women had severe or very severe dysmenorrhea pain severity. More women (27%) reported severe abdominal pain after menopause than before menopause 11%. Women without dysmenorrhea were twice more likely to remain asymptomatic than the women with dysmenorrhea. Women with dysmenorrhea were more likely to have stable symptoms and were twice more likely to have increased symptoms. Conclusion. Women with IBS are more likely to experience dysmenorrhea than women without IBS which seems to be a part of the symptomatology in most women with IBS. IBS symptom severity seems to increase after menopause.
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spelling doaj-art-968f6cdef8e847cbbfa3f28a9a078be02025-08-20T03:37:30ZengWileyGastroenterology Research and Practice1687-61211687-630X2012-01-01201210.1155/2012/534204534204Natural History of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Women and Dysmenorrhea: A 10-Year Follow-Up StudyLinda Bjork Olafsdottir0Hallgrimur Gudjonsson1Heidur Hrund Jonsdottir2Einar Björnsson3Bjarni Thjodleifsson4Department of Gastroenterology, Landspitali University Hospital, 101 Reykjavik, IcelandDepartment of Gastroenterology, Landspitali University Hospital, 101 Reykjavik, IcelandThe Social Science Research Institute, University of Iceland, 101 Reykjavik, IcelandDepartment of Gastroenterology, Landspitali University Hospital, 101 Reykjavik, IcelandDepartment of Gastroenterology, Landspitali University Hospital, 101 Reykjavik, IcelandBackground. Studies have shown that women are more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and more women seek healthcare because of IBS than men. Aim. We wanted to examine the natural history of IBS and dysmenorrhea in women over a 10-year period and to assess the change in IBS after menopause. Method. A population-based postal study. A questionnaire was mailed to the same age- and gender-stratified random sample of the Icelandic population aged 18–75 in 1996 and again in 2006. Results. 77% premenopausal women had dysmenorrhea in the year 1996 and 74% in 2006. 42% of women with dysmenorrhea had IBS according to Manning criteria in the year 2006 and 49% in 1996. 26% of women with dysmenorrhea had IBS according to Rome III 2006 and 11% in the year 1996. In 2006 30% women had severe or very severe dysmenorrhea pain severity. More women (27%) reported severe abdominal pain after menopause than before menopause 11%. Women without dysmenorrhea were twice more likely to remain asymptomatic than the women with dysmenorrhea. Women with dysmenorrhea were more likely to have stable symptoms and were twice more likely to have increased symptoms. Conclusion. Women with IBS are more likely to experience dysmenorrhea than women without IBS which seems to be a part of the symptomatology in most women with IBS. IBS symptom severity seems to increase after menopause.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/534204
spellingShingle Linda Bjork Olafsdottir
Hallgrimur Gudjonsson
Heidur Hrund Jonsdottir
Einar Björnsson
Bjarni Thjodleifsson
Natural History of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Women and Dysmenorrhea: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study
Gastroenterology Research and Practice
title Natural History of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Women and Dysmenorrhea: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study
title_full Natural History of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Women and Dysmenorrhea: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study
title_fullStr Natural History of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Women and Dysmenorrhea: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study
title_full_unstemmed Natural History of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Women and Dysmenorrhea: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study
title_short Natural History of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Women and Dysmenorrhea: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study
title_sort natural history of irritable bowel syndrome in women and dysmenorrhea a 10 year follow up study
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2012/534204
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