Irritable Bowel Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Irritable Bowel Syndrome, including details on treatment, symptoms, digestion, nutrition, diet, drugs.

Bronchial hyperresponsiveness in irritable bowel syndrome.

Jun DW, Lee OY, Yoon HJ, Lee HL, Yoon BC, Choi HS, Lee MH, Lee DH, Kee CS

Divisions of Gastroenterology, Hanyang University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

Extraintestinal symptoms are often found in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Recent studies suggest that IBS is associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness. But it is still arguable that the bronchial hyperresponsiveness is associated with IBS patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible relationship between IBS and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Forty-two patients with IBS and 42 control subjects were included in this study. All patients underwent pulmonary function, methacholine challenge, and skin prick tests. There was no statistical difference between the two groups with respect to percentage of all pulmonary function test parameters, including FEV(1)%, FCV%, FVC/FEV(1), and FEF(25 - 75)%. Only two persons in the alternating-type IBS patient group and one person in the control group tested positive in the methacholine provocation test. But all PC(20) values were above 16 mg/ml. These results do not demonstrate a relationship between bronchial hyperresponsiveness and IBS. However, a relationship might exist in a subpopulation of IBS patients.

Published 31 August 2005 in Dig Dis Sci, 50(9): 1688-91.
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