Irritable Bowel Syndrome from Previous Stomach Infection Can Persist for Over 4 Years in Half of Patients, Study Finds

Study finds that irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may persist for over 4 years after gastroenteritis, linked to certain bacteria and viruses.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may persist for 4 or more years after gastroenteritis in around half of those affected, possibly triggered by aggressive bacteria and the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
IBS and functional dyspepsia are gut-brain axis disorders triggered by sudden bouts of gastroenteritis, with a 14.5% prevalence rate for IBS and nearly 13% for functional dyspepsia after gastroenteritis.
Risk factors for developing IBS after gastroenteritis include anxiety, prolonged diarrhea, hospital admission, and female sex, with certain infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, and parasites playing a role.
The highest prevalence of IBS post-gastroenteritis was associated with Campylobacter infection, Proteobacteria species, and Enterobacteriaceae species, with SARS-CoV-2 and parasites also posing risks.
Despite study limitations, researchers emphasize the relevance of their findings for public health, suggesting that physicians pay attention to patients presenting with recent infectious gastroenteritis episodes.

Study reveals dangerous microbes found in 7 billion tons of plastic waste