Sex-Related Differences in Clinical Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Biochemical Factors in Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Due to the sex differences in physiological and psychological factors, it can be speculated that clinical presentation of symptoms in male and female patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) might be different. To evaluate sex-related differences in clinical symptoms, quality of life, and biochemical factors in IBS. Ninety IBS patients (29 men, 61 women (45 premenopausal, 16 postmenopausal)) were recruited from the outpatient clinic of the University Hospital. All the patients met the Rome III Diagnostic Criteria. The IBS severity score system (IBS-SSS), gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, IBS specific quality of life (IBS-QoL), and biochemical factors (IL-17, IL-10, TNF alpha, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC)) were assessed. Diarrhea predominant IBS (IBS-D) was more common in men (44.8%), whereas constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C) and alternating bowel habits IBS (IBS-A) were more common in women (39.3, 42.6%, respectively). The women had a greater severity of abdominal distention, rumbling, flatulence, and dissatisfaction with bowel habits as compared with men. The scores of IBS-QoL in women were significantly (P < 0.05) lower than those in men. Moreover, pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17, TNF alpha) increased, and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) decreased in women versus men. In addition, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between pre- and postmenopausal women in the severity of symptoms. All of the GI symptoms and IBS-SSS have a significant negative correlation with IBS-QoL in both men and women. Female with IBS reports a greater severity of IBS symptoms, increased inflammatory cytokines, and has an impaired quality of life compared with male.