Childhood Food Sensitivity and Asthma Increase the Risk for Developing IBS in Adolescent Years

According to a new study presented at UEG Week Virtual 2020, children who suffer from asthma and food hypersensitivity at the age of 12 are more likely to be at risk for irritable bowel syndrome at the age of 16. 

The research was conducted at the University of Gothenburg and the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, where 2770 children's health were analyzed from birth until the age of 16. 

Studies found that those who have IBS at 16 were almost twice as likely to have had asthma at the age of 12. 

Dr. Jessica Sjölund, from the Institute of Medicine at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden said that this large study showed how there is shared pathophysiology between common allergy-related diseases and adolescent irritable bowel syndrome. 

The research also suggested that those who had a history of asthma, food hypersensitivity, and eczema were more likely to report an increased risk of concurrent IBS at 16 years.

Hans Törnblom, one of Europe's leading IBS experts, said that despite how common gastrointestinal disorders are, many people are usually labeled and negatively stigmatized when diagnosed. Only one in three people with IBS symptoms seek medical help which makes it a growing concern among patients with IBS.

According to Törnblom, there should be resources dedicated to improving the quality of life of those people living with IBS. Psychological and emotional support must be available so they can be comfortable when consulting healthcare professional.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal syndrome that can be challenging due to its association with complicated rheumatological and psychiatric conditions. It is a chronic and extremely disabling condition for some patients due to symptoms like abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation  It affects more than one in ten people and often needs long-term management.

Due to the gastrointestinal and extraintestinal manifestations, increased health care costs, and work-school absenteeism, IBS often decreases the quality of life of patients.

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Allergies and IBS

Asthma and IBS association was first identified in the 1990s. It was shown that a patient with IBS and coexisting atopic disease have a higher level of immunoglobulin E, an antibody that protects against allergens, and are more likely to report food intolerance. Food antigens (eg, wheat proteins) may cause pathologic alterations in the small intestine leading to increased intestinal permeability and tissue eosinophilia in patients with IBS.

An allergist may not be helpful in patients with IBS as they tend to not have true IgE-mediated food allergies, although it is possible that a food allergen is the cause of the disease. 

Diagnosing food allergies in patients with IBS poses a challenge as there are currently no reliable tests for identifying food allergies in patients with IBS. 

What experts do is rely on patient history and food elimination diets, or dietary therapy. Dietary approaches, as compared to pharmacologic therapy or administration of antihistamine, is the choice of treatment for the management of mild to moderate IBS.

The British Dietetic Association (BDA) recommends the low FODMAP dietary advice which is quite simple and can often help IBS symptoms. it's important that IBS is diagnosed by a doctor and any diet changes are discussed with a Registered Dietitian to ensure that there are no other conditions, such as celiac disease that may be causing the symptoms.

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