ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder with a clinical diagnosis. The prevalence of this disorder and associated factors are unknown among the Colombian population. Nowadays, diagnosis of IBS is made by applying the Rome III criteria, and other disorders should be excluded before establishing the diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of IBS and associated factors in a population aged between 18 and 60 years old in Bucaramanga, Colombia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed. We applied a questionnaire that included sociodemographic variables, types of food, identification of IBS by the Rome III criteria, the Zung self-rating depression scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) test and self-reported use of medical services among a random sample of an adult population in Bucaramanga. Univariate analysis and logistic regression was used to establish associations. RESULTS: Of the 615 individuals selected, 558 were included in the study. The mean age was 36.4 years and 62.4% was female. The prevalence of IBS was 19.9%. Logistic regression analysis showed an association with depressive symptoms and female sex independently of age and anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of IBS is high and is associated with depressive symptoms and female sex in an adult population in Colombia. This disorder generates substantial health system utilization and medical disability and restricts activities of daily life.