Neither self-reported atopy nor IgE-mediated allergy are linked to gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with irritable bowel syndrome

• BackgroundAmong patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), atopic disease has been proposed as a common comorbidity increasing the IBS symptom burden. We therefore assessed the prevalence of self-reported atopy among patients with IBS as compared to non-IBS controls, and whether atopy and higher serum IgE levels were associated with increased IBS symptom severity. MethodsLevels of total and specific IgE in serum were measured and questionnaires assessing the presence of atopic disease (ie, eczema, asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and pollen allergy), gastrointestinal symptom burden, food intolerance, somatic, and psychological symptoms were completed. Key resultsIn total, 223 patients with IBS and 47 controls participated. Presence of atopic disease was reported in 55% of patients with IBS compared to 40% of controls (P=.07). IBS patients with atopic manifestations (N=123) had higher total serum IgE levels (median 31 vs 16 kU(A)/L, P<.001) and higher prevalence of self-reported food intolerance (28% vs 9%, P=.002) than non-atopic IBS patients (N=100), respectively, but no major difference in gastrointestinal or psychological symptom burden was noted. However, severe somatic symptoms were more common among atopic than non-atopic patients with IBS (38% vs 27%, P=.028). We found no associations between self-reported atopy and IBS symptom severity using linear regression models. Conclusions & InferencesAtopic disease is common in patients with IBS, but that is also true for subjects without IBS. The presence of atopic disease in IBS is associated with self-reported food intolerance and somatic symptom severity, but unrelated to IBS symptom severity.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

atopic disease

IgE

irritable bowel syndrome

self-perceived food intolerance

activated mast-cells

quality-of-life

food hypersensitivity

clinical-significance

somatic symptoms

disorders

asthma

depression

proximity

correlate

Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Neurosciences & Neurology

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