부산대학교 도서관

Recent research on the epidemiology of IBS in developing countries, alternative dietary mechanisms, and the role of infection provide exciting new ideas on the causation of IBS beyond traditional ideas pertaining to fibre and stress. Studies from recently affluent Asian countries suggest that there is a rising prevalence of IBS, particularly in the more privileged and better educated classes of society. This coupled with the promotion of dairy products and wholegrain cereals as healthier dietary choices could lead to greater exposure of the intestinal immune system to the common food antigens that have been implicated in an immune mediated food intolerance in IBS patients. While infection is now recognised to be a strong risk factor for the development of IBS in industrialised countries, early studies from endemic countries suggest that on the contrary early exposure to infections like amoeba could protect against IBS. These observations may be placed within an inflammatory model to support a role in the development of IBS. More research in developing countries could offer further lessons for our understanding of the pathogenesis.