Traveler's diarrhea may raise risk of IBS

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People who experience traveler's diarrhea appear to be at significantly increased risk of subsequently suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, 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 traveler'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 percent) visited Asia. Their mean age was 30.8 years. In all, 412 were followed up after returning home and 405 were contacted 6 months after their return.

The team found that the rate of IBS in travelers who had suffered a bout of diarrhea during their trip (13.6 percent) was more than 5 times greater than it was in travelers who had no such diarrhea (2.4 percent).

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

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

SOURCE: Clinical Infectious Diseases, October 1, 2006.