Prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Morbidly Obese Individuals Seeking Bariatric Surgery

Abstract

AIM: An increased prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome has been reported in obese individuals.  Factors important in weight loss after bariatric surgery are incompletely understood, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus is a potential risk factor.  Our aims are to examine whether the increased prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome in obese individuals seeking bariatric surgery is associated with diabetes mellitus and whether weight loss after bariatric surgery is altered by irritable bowel syndrome.

METHODS: This is a single-center, retrospective study performed in a large, urban community teaching hospital.  Individuals seen in gastrointestinal bariatric clinic prior to bariatric surgery from 2010 to 2013 completed a Manning symptom criteria questionnaire prior to their medical evaluation; ≥3 Manning criteria is accepted as diagnostic of irritable bowel syndrome. Percent excess weight loss at 6-, 12-, and 24-months after bariatric surgery is recorded.

RESULTS: Thirty percent of 278 individuals seeking bariatric surgery have ≥3 Manning criteria. There is no relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and the presence of ≥3 Manning criteria (p>.05), nor is body mass index a significant risk factor for irritable bowel syndrome (p>.05).  At 6-, 12-, and 24-months after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or vertical sleeve gastrectomy, there is no difference in percent excess weight loss in individuals with ≥3 Manning criteria compared to individuals with ≤2 Manning criteria (for both surgical procedures: p>.05).

CONCLUSION: A diagnosis of diabetes mellitus or body mass index do not explain the high prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome identified in individuals with obesity seeking bariatric surgery, and irritable bowel syndrome does not alter weight loss after bariatric surgery.