Background: Although several dietary factors have been reported to alleviate or aggravate the symptoms of IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS), no information is available linking dietary patterns to IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME.This study was undertaken to assess the association between dietary patterns and the risk of IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) among Iranian adults.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data on 3846 Iranian general adults working in 50 different health centers were examined. Dietary intake of study participants was assessed using a 106-item self-administered Dish-based Semi-quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (DSFFQ) which was designed and validated specifically for Iranian adults. A modified Persian version of the Rome III questionnaire was used for assessment of FGIDs, including IBS, which was defined according to ROME III criteria.To identify major dietary patterns based on the 39 food groups, we used principal component analysis.Results: We identified four major dietary patterns: 1) “fast food” dietary pattern; 2) “traditional” dietary pattern; 3) “lacto-vegetarian” dietary pattern; 4) “western” dietary pattern. After adjustment for potential confounders, we found that those in the highest quartile of “fast food” dietary pattern were tended to have higher risk of IBS than those in the lowest quartile (1.32; 0.99, 1.75, Ptrend=0.05). An inverse association was found between “lacto-vegetarian” dietary pattern and risk of IBS; such that even after adjustment for potential confounders, those in top quartile of this dietary pattern were 24% less likely to have IBS (0.76; 0.59, 0.98; Ptrend=0.02). No overall significant associations were observed between “traditional” and “western” dietary patterns and risk of IBS, either before or after adjustment for covariates.Conclusion: We found that “lacto-vegetarian” dietary pattern was associated with reduced risk, while “fast food” dietary pattern was associated with a greater risk of IBS in Iranian adults.

Background: Limited data are available on the habitual consumption of spicy foods in relation to IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS). The traditional Iranian diet contains high amounts of spicy foods, which provides an opportunity to assess consumption of spicy foods in relation to health.Objective: The current study aimed to explore the association between consumption of spicy foods and prevalence of IBS among Iranian adults.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data from 4763 Iranian adult participants were used. Consumption of spicy foods was estimated using a dietary habits questionnaire that included a question on spicy foods consumption: How frequently do you use spicy foods (pepper, curry, ginger, cinnamon and turmeric) during a week? Participants could respond to the question by choosing one of these choices: “never”, “1-3 times”, “4-6 times”, “7-9 times” or “more than 10 times” per week. A modified Persian version of the Rome III questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of IBS.Results: IBS was prevalent in 21.7% (18.6% of men and 24.1% of women) of the study population. After controlling for potential confounders including dietary behaviors, those consuming spicy foods ≥10 times/week were 92% more likely to have IBS compared with those who never consumed spicy foods (OR: 1.92; 95% CI: 1.23-3.01, Ptrend<0.01). The association remained significant even after taking lactose intolerance into account (1.85; 1.18-2.90, Ptrend<0.01). Stratified analysis by gender revealed that the association between consumption of spicy foods and IBS was not significant in men; however, a significant association was found among women after taking potential cofounders, including meal regularity and lactose intolerance, into account. Those who consumed spicy foods ≥10 times/week were 103% more likely to have IBS compared with those who never consumed spicy foods (2.03; 1.09-3.77, Ptrend=0.02).Conclusion: Consumption of spicy foods is directly associated with IBS, particularly in women. Further studies, in particular of prospective nature, are required to examine this association in other populations.

INTRODUCTION: IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME (IBS) is the most common disorder of gasterointestinal tract. The prevalence of IBS is between 14% to 22%. This study was aimed to demonstrate the relationship between post nasal discharge (PND) and IBS. MATERIALS & METHODS: This was a case- control study. The case group including 67 patients with IBS and no history of psychologic or chronic disorders, refered to a clinic of internal diseases, were compared with 75 patients without IBS selected by paired matching method. RESULTS: Of patients with IBS, 59.7% (40 cases) were male and 40.3% (27 cases) were female. Mean age of the patients was 27.9 years (SD= 8.73). In 41.8% of the patients (28 cases) evidences of sinusitis were found in radiography of paranasal sinuses. Sinusitis had a signtificant association with IBS (P=0.01, OR= 4.27, CI= 1.19- 16.74, x2= 5.37). PND was also significantly associate with IBS (P= 0.001, CI= 2.99- 13.99, x2=18.69). CONCLUSIONS: Our Study confirmed the realationship between upper respiratory tract infections, particulaly sinusitis, and IBS. This may suggest that IBS is a systemic disorder involving multiple organ systems.