Oh Young Lee

Gender-related differences in IBS symptoms.

OBJECTIVE:Women are more likely than men to report irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms as well as chronic visceral and musculoskeletal pain. The study tests the general hypothesis that female IBS patients differ from their male counterparts in symptoms related to the viscera and musculoskeletal system, and that these differences are related to the menstrual cycle.METHODS:Seven hundred fourteen Rome positive IBS patients were evaluated for GI and extracolonic symptoms, psychological symptoms (SCL-90R), and quality of life (QOL) (SF-36). In addition, 54 postmenopausal women were compared with 61 premenopausal women and 54 age-matched males, all with IBS.RESULTS:Male and female subjects reported similar GI levels of symptom severity and psychological problems. Abdominal distension associated with a sensation of bloating was more commonly reported by female patients, as were symptoms of constipation. Female patients more often reported nausea, alterations of taste and smell, and unpleasant sensations on the tongue, muscle stiffness in the morning, greater food sensitivity, and side effects from medications. Forty percent of female patients reported menstrual cycle–related worsening of symptoms, but few symptom differences were found between pre- and postmenopausal women, making it unlikely that most of the gender differences observed are directly tied to the menstrual cycle.CONCLUSIONS:Female patients report higher levels of a variety of intestinal and nonintestinal sensory symptoms despite similar levels of IBS severity, abdominal pain, psychological symptoms, and illness impact. The apparent differences in sensitivity to nonpainful visceral sensations, medications, and food may represent altered sensory processes, autonomic responses, and/or cognitive hypervigilance.

Asian consensus on irritable bowel syndrome.

Background and Aims:  Many of the ideas on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are derived from studies conducted in Western societies. Their relevance to Asian societies has not been critically examined. Our objectives were to bring to attention important data from Asian studies, articulate the experience and views of our Asian experts, and provide a relevant guide on this poorly understood condition for doctors and scientists working in Asia.

Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in Korea: population-based survey using the Rome II criteria.

Background:  Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder in the West. But information on the prevalence of IBS in Asia is still lacking, especially in Korea. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to estimate the prevalence of IBS in the general population of Korea and also to investigate characteristics of IBS and health‐care‐seeking behavior of IBS patients.

A Population-Based Study on Bowel Habits in a Korean Community: Prevalence of Functional Constipation and Self-Reported Constipation

Most studies of bowel habits have been conducted in Western countries. This study was conducted to estimate the epidemiology of constipation and the discrepancy between self-reported constipation and bowel habits in Koreans. Telephone interviews regarding bowel habits were conducted with a total of 1029 individuals in Korea, 15 years of age or older. Subjects were given a questionnaire which asked about bowel symptoms, sociodemographic associations, laxative use, and physician visits. Of all subjects 95.6% had a defecation frequency of between three per week and three per day. The prevalence was 16.5% for self-reported constipation, 9.2% for functional constipation (FC), and 3.9% for constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C). Of subjects’ self-reporting constipation, proportions of FC and IBS-C were 21.8% and 23.5%, respectively. Of subjects excluding self-reported constipation, the proportion of FC was 6.8%. Prevalences of self-reported constipation and IBS-C were higher in females than in males (P < 0.001). Of subjects’ self-reporting constipation, 8.2% used laxatives. We conclude that constipation is a common problem in the general Korean population.

Effect of multispecies probiotics on irritable bowel syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

The efficacy of treatment with multispecies probiotics on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms and the alterations of gut microbiota in patients who have taken probiotics were investigated.

Intestinal microbiota in pathophysiology and management of irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder without any structural or metabolic abnormalities that sufficiently explain the symptoms, which include abdominal pain and discomfort, and bowel habit changes such as diarrhea and constipation. Its pathogenesis is multifactorial: visceral hypersensitivity, dysmotility, psychosocial factors, genetic or environmental factors, dysregulation of the brain-gut axis, and altered intestinal microbiota have all been proposed as possible causes. The human intestinal microbiota are composed of more than 1000 different bacterial species and 10(14) cells, and are essential for the development, function, and homeostasis of the intestine, and for individual health. The putative mechanisms that explain the role of microbiota in the development of IBS include altered composition or metabolic activity of the microbiota, mucosal immune activation and inflammation, increased intestinal permeability and impaired mucosal barrier function, sensory-motor disturbances provoked by the microbiota, and a disturbed gut-microbiota-brain axis. Therefore, modulation of the intestinal microbiota through dietary changes, and use of antibiotics, probiotics, and anti-inflammatory agents has been suggested as strategies for managing IBS symptoms. This review summarizes and discusses the accumulating evidence that intestinal microbiota play a role in the pathophysiology and management of IBS.

The Differences in Prevalence and Sociodemographic Characteristics of Irritable Bowel Syndrome According to Rome II and Rome III.

Background/Aims Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most frequently observed disorders by primary care and practitioners. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of IBS using the Rome II and III criteria in the general Korean population and also to compare sociodemographic differences between subjects diagnosed by these criteria. Methods Telephone interview surveys were performed with a total of 1,009 individuals in Korea, 15 years of age or older. The questionnaire, based on the Rome II and III criteria, was validated. Results Among the 1,009 subjects, the prevalence of IBS was 8.0% under the Rome II criteria (81 subjects; 6.4%, male; 9.6%, female), and 9.0% (91 subjects; 7.0%, male; 11.0%, female) under the Rome III criteria. The accordance rate of Rome II and III was 73.5%. Both groups showed highest frequency in the age of 30s (13.9% vs. 15.3% respectively). Female subjects showed a higher prevalence than male subjects under Rome III (91 subjects; 11.0% in female, 7.0% in male; p < 0.05), but not under Rome II criteria. Many patients older than 50 years were added when analyzed under the Rome III criteria, but not under the Rome II criteria (p = 0.017). Conclusions The Rome III criteria were less restrictive and showed good agreement with the Rome II criteria. The prevalence of IBS was increased in young women.

Caffeine attenuates liver fibrosis via defective adhesion of hepatic stellate cells in cirrhotic model

Several epidemiological studies have shown that coffee intake attenuates the progression of liver fibrosis; however, the mechanism is unclear.

Efficacy of ramosetron in the treatment of male patients with irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea: a multicenter, randomized clinical trial, compared with mebeverine.

Background  The 5‐HT3 receptor antagonists are known to be effective for the treatment of diarrhea‐predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but not widely used yet. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of ramosetron, a 5‐HT3 receptor antagonist, and mebeverine in male patients with IBS with diarrhea (IBS‐D).

Prevention of free fatty acid-induced hepatic lipotoxicity by carnitine via reversal of mitochondrial dysfunction

Mitochondria are the main sites for fatty acid oxidation and play a central role in lipotoxicity and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.