Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors related to the risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study analysed the responses from participants that completed an online questionnaire, which asked about their knowledge of the causes and risk factors associated with IBS and H. pylori infection. RESULTS: The study analysed responses from 230 participants: 181 females (of 227 participants; 79.7%) and 190 aged 18-40 years (of 228; 83.3%). Of the 230 participants, 40 (17.4%) had been diagnosed by a physician with IBS and 57 (24.8%) had been diagnosed with H. pylori infection. Of 226 participants, 93 (41.2%) had self-medicated with antibiotics in the past 6 months for various reasons. The overall mean ± SD knowledge score about IBS and H. pylori infection for the study cohort (n = 230) was 35.8 ± 19.2%. Wald χ(2)-test analysis demonstrated that chronic diseases, antibiotic use and having an endoscopy were significantly associated with developing IBS. Male sex and chronic diseases were significantly associated with H. pylori infection. Logistic regression analysis showed no relationship between IBS and H. Pylori infection. CONCLUSION: Chronic diseases was the only risk factor common for IBS and H. pylori infection.