Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is common in South Asia and among its diaspora, with prevalence reported across diverse populations including urban and rural communities. The low-FODMAP diet has the most robust evidence for symptom reduction, but adherence is often limited by high rates of vegetarianism and the South Asian diet’s high FODMAP content—including wheat, dal, curd, onion, and garlic. Patients frequently report triggers such as milk, spicy foods, and fried foods, which may further influence dietary intake and quality of life. Anxiety and depression are common. Culturally sensitive dietary and psychosocial support are essential.

    1. Sahoo S, Padhy SK. Cross-cultural and psychological issues in irritable bowel syndrome. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017;32(10):1679-1685.

      View Article: doi:10.1111/jgh.13773

    2. Fang X, Francisconi CF, Fukudo S, et al. Multicultural aspects in functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs). Gastroenterology. 2016;150(6):1344-1354.e2.

      View Article: doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2016.02.013

    1. Ghoshal UC, Mustafa U, Pandey VK. Rome III and IV criteria are less discordant to diagnose irritable bowel syndrome in clinic patients than in community subjects. Indian J Gastroenterol. 2024;43(6):1136-1143.

      View Article: doi:10.1007/s12664-024-01611-4

    2. Ghoshal UC, Rahman MM, Pratap N, et al. Comparisons of the Rome III and Rome IV criteria for diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome in Indian and Bangladeshi communities and internal shifts in the diagnostic categories of bowel disorders of gut-brain interactions. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2023;35(6):e14579.

      View Article: doi:10.1111/nmo.14579

    3. Das A, Razon AH, Ahmad T, Paul DK. Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome and its associated risk factors among university students of Bangladesh. JGH Open. 2022;6(6):421-426.

      View Article: doi:10.1002/jgh3.12757

    4. Ghosh DK, Nath M, Biswas A, Khondakar MFA, Ghosh CK. Prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome: a comparison between rural and urban settings in Bangladesh: IBS among rural and urban population. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull. 2021;47(1):70-77.

      View Article: doi:10.3329/bmrcb.v47i1.55792

    5. Nagaonkar SN, Singh VS, Kangule DT, Sadhanala S. A study of prevalence and determinants of irritable bowel syndrome in an urban slum community in Mumbai. J Datta Meghe Inst Med Sci Univ. 2018;13(2):87-90.

      View Article: doi:10.4103/jdmimsu.jdmimsu_4_18

    1. Ghosh CK, Sarker A, Miah AR, Roy PK. Lactose intolerance in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome in a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. Middle East Res J Med Sci. 2025;5(3):293-300.

      View Article: doi:10.36348/merjms.2025.v05i03.006

    2. Goyal O, Goyal MK, Gupta A, et al. Self-reported food triggers and food fears impact nutrient intake and quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia. Korean J Gastroenterol. 2025;85(3):345-356.

      View Article: doi:10.4166/kjg.2025.039

    3. Abraham P, Dhoble P, Desai D, Joshi A, Gupta T. Self-reported food intolerances in an Indian population: need for individualization rather than a universal low-FODMAP diet. JGH Open. 2023;7(11):772-776.

      View Article: doi:10.1002/jgh3.12981

    4. Mustafa U, Ghoshal UC. The challenges of implementing low fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyol diet in India: An analysis of available data. Indian J Gastroenterol. 2022;41(1):104-113.

      View Article: doi:10.1007/s12664-022-01250-7

    5. Goyal O, Batta S, Nohria S, et al. Low fermentable oligosaccharide, disaccharide, monosaccharide, and polyol diet in patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome: A prospective, randomized trial. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2021;36(8):2107-2115.

      View Article: doi:10.1111/jgh.15410

    6. Hewawasam SP, Iacovou M, Muir JG, Gibson PR. Dietary practices and FODMAPs in South Asia: Applicability of the low FODMAP diet to patients with irritable bowel syndrome. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2018;33(2):365-374. 

      View Article: doi:10.1111/jgh.13885

    7. Zanwar VG, Pawar SV, Gambhire PA, et al. Symptomatic improvement with gluten restriction in irritable bowel syndrome: a prospective, randomized, double blinded placebo controlled trial. Intest Res. 2016;14(4):343-350.

      View Article: doi:10.5217/ir.2016.14.4.343

    1. Devi D, Bhattacharya S, Tiwari S, Tripathi A, Singh K, Rungta S. Exploring the impact of yoga intervention on psychological symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome patients: a randomized controlled study. Int J Yoga. 2025;18(1):58-66.

      View Article: doi: 10.4103/ijoy.ijoy_200_24

    2. Saroj A, Tripathi A, Rungta S, Kar SK. Psychiatric Co-Morbidities and Profile of Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Northern India. Brain Sci. 2024;14(4):393. \

      View Article: doi: 10.3390/brainsci14040393

    3. Ghoshal U, Biswas SN, Dixit VK, Yadav JS. Anxiety and depression in Indian patients with irritable bowel syndrome: A meta-analysis. Indian J Gastroenterol. 2023;42(1):32-39.

      View Article: doi:10.1007/s12664-022-01300-0

    4. Kawoos Y, Wani ZA, Kadla SA, et al. Psychiatric co-morbidity in patients with irritable bowel syndrome at a tertiary care center in Northern India. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2017;23(4):555-560.

      View Article: doi:10.5056/jnm16166

    1. Ashraf MU, Akhouri D, Bhardwaj D, Siddiqui B. A study to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy (MBSRT) in reducing symptom severity and improving quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2023;57(9):945-950.

      View Article: doi:10.1097/mcg.0000000000001800

Previous

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Next

Ostomy