Abstract
BACKGROUND: Some studies suggest a link between allergic rhinitis (AR) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), but evidence is insufficient. This meta-analysis aimed to explore the relationship between AR and IBS. METHODS: We searched the relevant literature in six electronic databases. We included a total of nine articles, seven of which took AR as the research object, two of which took IBS as the research object. We performed a meta-analysis using random effects and estimated the resultant odds ratio (OR). RESULTS: A total of 10 627 patients with AR were included in seven studies, including 956 patients diagnosed with AR in the IBS population and 9671 patients diagnosed with AR in the non-IBS population. By heterogeneity test, X(2) = 10.12, F-statistic (F) = 6, P = 0.12, I(2) = 41%, OR = 2.88, and Z-score (Z) = 21.97 (P < 0.00001), the results were statistically significant. Patients with AR have an increased risk of developing IBS compared to patients without AR. A total of 1099 patients with IBS were included in two studies, including 384 patients with IBS in AR patients and 715 patients with IBS in the healthy population. After the heterogeneity test, X(2) = 0.11, F = 1, P = 0.74, I(2) = 0%, OR = 2.15, and Z = 11.81 (P < 0.00001), the results were statistically significant. Patients with IBS have an increased risk of developing AR compared to patients without IBS. CONCLUSIONS: The bidirectional association between AR and IBS provides a basis for exploring potential new mechanisms between the two. REGISTRATION: No. INPLASY202440057.