Traveler's diarrhoea may raise risk of IBS

NEW YORK Oct 12 (Reuters) People who experience traveler's diarrhoea appear to be at significantly increased risk of subsequently suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea, and constipation.

Dr. Edy Stermer of B'nai Zion Medical Center, Haifa and colleagues came to this conclusion after studying travelers who had visited a traveller's clinic for counseling and vaccinations before their trips and had contacted the center again after their return.

The researchers studied 483 travelers, most of whom (84 per cent) visited Asia. Their mean age was 30.8 years. In all, 412 were followed up after returning home and 405 were contacted six months after their return.

The team found that the rate of IBS in travelers who had suffered a bout of diarrhoea during their trip (13.6 per cent) was more than five times greater than it was in travelers who had no such diarrhea (2.4 per cent).

Women appeared to be more likely to experience IBS. They accounted for 61 per cent of the IBS group, but only 47 per cent of the entire cohort.

The researchers also report that, in the diarrheoa group, abdominal pain was significantly more common in those who developed IBS and the duration of diarrheoa was significantly greater.

REUTERS AB DKB RN0933