Introduction: On one hand the prevalence of IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) ranges from 4 to 12 percent in the community; on the other hand, Celiac disease is prevalent in 4% of the IBS patients. Regarding the fact that cereals containing gluten are routinely used in Iran, diagnosing celiac disease in IBS patients is important for conducting the treatments. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of Celiac in IBS patients.Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a case control prospective study. Eighty six subjects were enrolled in this study according to Rome II Criteria. The control group included healthy subjects that were checked up on a routine base. The evaluation of Celiac was done through serology exams such as Anti Gliadin and Anti Transglutaminase (IgG and IgA).Results: Thirty eight male and 48 female patients suffering from IBS with a mean age of 34±11.7 years were enrolled in this study. The case and control groups were not significantly different in terms of sex and age. Flatulence, excessive gas passing and mucus passage were the most frequent symptoms in IBS patients. Night symptoms and weight loss (alarm signs) were observed in 37% and 32%, respectively. Elevated Antigliadin Titer was evident in 22 subjects (25%) which suggests a significantly higher rate for the case group as compared to the control group (t=4.67, P=0.0001).Elevated IgG Anti Transglutaminase Titer was observed in 2 cases (2.3%) while IgA Anti Transglutaminase was not elevated in any of the IBS subjects, neither in the control group nor in the case group.Conclusion: Biopsy of small intestine can be suggested to rule out the elevated Antigliadin Titer Celiac Disease in IBS patients.

Background: IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) in one of the most common disorders in daily practice of general physicians (GPs).Aim: To evaluate the competency of GPs in Shiraz in the management of IBS.Method: Medical students simulating patients with IBS were referred to a cluster random sample of GPs in Shiraz city, Fars, Province Iran, and recorded their practice in taking history, performing physical examination, requesting preclinical workups, making diagnosis and ordering management of IBS. Results: 13.3% of practicing GPs in Shiraz were enrolled. Only 25% of them could make the diagnosis of 18S. This was mainly in those who were graduated recently (<6 yrs, p <0.05). 63.7% of GPs performed physical examination and 58.7% of them requested paraclinical workup for their patients. The most common prescribed drugs were anticholingergics (75%) but 41.2% of GPs prescribed antibiotics either alone or in combination with other drugs.Conclusion: IBS was under-recognized and mismanaged by the majority of GPs in this series. There should be much more emphasis on this common disorder in both undergraduate teaching curriculum and in continuous medical education programs.

Introduction: IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder, which is characterized by the presence of abdominal pain or discomfort associated with altered BOWEL habits. This systematic review aimed to assess the nutritional factors (dietary patterns and food groups) associated with IBS. Methods: Articles were collected via searching in databases such as Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, ProQuest, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar using relevant keywords and phrases, including IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME, pattern, intake, behavior, habit, meal, nutrition, food, lifestyle, and prevalence. The articles were confined to the original human studies that were published in English since 2010. Duplicates and unrelated materials were excluded. Results: Consumption of processed meat, fast foods, and legumes has been reported to increase the risk of IBS. However, the correlation between the consumption of milk, fruits, and vegetables has not been conclusive. Moreover, the association between cereal intake and risk of IBS varies depending on the type of cereals. The results also indicated that fast food dietary patterns increased the risk of IBS, while lacto-vegetarian dietary patterns reduced the risk of IBS. Conclusion: According to the results, the effects of some food groups on IBS are unclear. In addition, research in this regard is limited to food patterns, and further investigations are required in order to reach conclusive results.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe the occurrence of self report bloating and related factors in patients with IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS).Background: Bloating symptoms are common in patients with IBS and have significant impact on normal daily function. Patients and methods: This study was a community-based cross-sectional survey that conducted using a valid questionnaire base on Rome III criteria. Univariate analysis was used for investigation about distribution of self reported bloating according to demographic and psychological factors in IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME patients. Results: Out of 18180 subjects under study, 198 cases met criteria for the diagnosis of the IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME according to criteria ROME III and 61.6% reported bloating symptoms. Bloating symptoms were more prevalent among patients with intermittent symptoms and diarrhea than in patients with constipation. Catastrophic events and depression were independent risk factors for bloating.Conclusion: Findings of this study support the clinical impression regarding the high prevalence of bloating symptoms in patients with IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME. Further studies are needed to understand the role of physiological and psychological factors and their interaction in development of bloating in IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME patients.

IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) is the most prevalent functional gastrointestinal disorder noted in the general population worldwide.Its chronic nature, signs and symptoms which vary periodically from mild to severe have many negative effects on the quality of life for the sufferer; therefore the appropriate treatment of these patients is highly important. Patients should be informed by their doctors that the nature of the disease is benign, and educated on how to deal with and control symptoms of the disease. This article sets out a review of recent studies on the prevalence of IBS in Iran and appropriate methods for management of patients affected by IBS.