The Incidence of Abdominal and Pelvic Surgery among Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Introduction: Irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) is one of the most common disorders of GI tract. Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by chronic pain associated with altered bowel function. No organic abnormalities can be demonstrated reliably in IBS and thus diagnosis rests on symptom-base criteria.In this study rates of abdominal and pelvic surgery were measured in patients with IBS. Methods: In this case-control study, the case group consisted of 314 patients with IBS who referred to a clinic of gastroenterology in Yazd during the years 2009-2012. As a matter of fact, patients of case group were compared with 319 patients without IBS and the rates of abdominal and pelvic surgery were measured. The study data was analyzed via Spss software (Version 16) applying chi-square test. Results: Within IBS Patients, 46.8% were males and 53.2% were females, and the mean age of patients was 37 years. Although there was no statistically significant difference between control and case group, the prevalence rates for cholecystectomy were 3 times greater (5.4% versus 1.6%), appendectomy was threefold higher (11% versus 3.8%) and inguinal hernia (2.5% versus 0.3%) was increased in IBS patients compared to those of the control group. Conclusions: IBS Patients have an increased prevalence rate for abdominal and pelvic surgery such as cholecystectomy and appendectomy. Therefore, IBS patients need to be cautiously attended in regard to recommending surgeries.