What is the prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Bihar?

Prevalence of IBS in Bihar

The specific prevalence of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in Bihar is not documented in the available literature, but based on global and regional data, it likely ranges between 4-9% of the population depending on the diagnostic criteria used.

Global and Regional Prevalence Context

According to the British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines (2021), the prevalence of IBS varies considerably across different countries and populations:

• The global prevalence of IBS is approximately 9.2% when using Rome III criteria and 3.8% when using the more restrictive Rome IV criteria 1
• Prevalence varies widely between countries, ranging from as low as 1.1% in some Iranian studies to as high as 45% in Pakistan 1
• In India and surrounding regions, prevalence rates tend to fall within the broader Asian patterns

Factors Affecting Prevalence Rates

Several factors influence the reported prevalence of IBS:

• Diagnostic criteria used: Rome IV criteria (introduced in 2016) are more restrictive than Rome III criteria, resulting in lower prevalence estimates (4.1% vs 10.1% globally) 1
• Sex distribution: IBS is consistently more common in women than men (OR 1.46-1.8) 1
• Age factors: Prevalence tends to decrease with age, with highest rates among adults aged 18-39 years 1
• Cultural and socioeconomic factors: These significantly impact reported prevalence rates across different regions 1

Ethnic and Regional Variations

The 2000 British Society of Gastroenterology guidelines noted significant ethnic differences in IBS prevalence:

• Higher prevalence in Japan compared to Holland (25% vs 9%)
• Higher rates in US Whites compared to Hispanics (21.8% vs 16.9%)
• Particularly high prevalence noted in Nigerian students (48% in women, 24% in men using two Manning criteria) 1
• Rural populations in some Asian countries showed lower prevalence rates 1

Diagnostic Considerations

When assessing prevalence in Bihar or any region, it's important to consider:

• The diagnostic criteria used (Manning, Rome I, II, III, or IV)
• The number of symptoms required for diagnosis (more symptoms = lower prevalence)
• Symptom frequency requirements (more frequent symptoms = lower prevalence)
• Cultural factors that may affect symptom reporting and healthcare seeking behavior

Clinical Implications

For clinicians working in Bihar:

• Be aware that IBS is likely underdiagnosed due to healthcare access issues and cultural factors
• Women are approximately 1.5-2 times more likely to have IBS than men
• Younger adults (18-39) have the highest prevalence rates
• The more restrictive Rome IV criteria may miss many patients who would benefit from treatment

While specific data for Bihar is lacking, understanding these global and regional patterns can help guide clinical practice and public health planning in the region.