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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffMany people have occasional signs and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, but you're more likely to have IBS if you:
- Are young. IBS begins before the age of 35 for 50 percent of people.
- Are female. Overall, about twice as many women as men have the condition.
- Have a family history of IBS. Studies have shown that people who have a first-degree relative — such as a parent or sibling — with IBS are at increased risk of the condition.
Researchers are studying whether the influence of family history on IBS risk is related to genes, to shared factors in a family's environment, or both.
References
- Irritable bowel syndrome. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs/. Accessed June 2, 2009.
- Talley NJ. Irritable bowel syndrome. In: Feldman M, et al. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/141404551-3/848454280/1389/868.html#4-u1.0-B1-4160-0245-6..50120-7_5467. Accessed June 2, 2009.
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec02/ch021666/ch021666a.html. Accessed June 2, 2009.
- Wald A. Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 2, 2009.
- Kligler B, et al. Probiotics. American Family Physician. 2008;78:1073.
- Chun AB, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 2, 2009.
- Saito YA. Genes and irritable bowel syndrome: Is there a link? Current Gastroenterology Reports. 2008;10:355.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 6, 2009.
