Research on irritable bowel syndrome suggests there is a common genetic link among irritable bowel syndrome, alcoholism, and other psychiatric disease, according to a presentation at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology.

In the current study, the American investigators were interested in learning if alcoholism and psychiatric disease were more common in family members of people who have irritable bowel syndrome, an anecdotal observation. G. Richard Locke, MD, senior author, said the findings point researchers closer to finding a specific therapy to help families affected by these conditions.

“This work confirms what doctors see every day in our patients,” said Locke. “People who have irritable bowel syndrome often have mental illness and alcoholism in their families.”

Specifically, the Mayo Clinic researchers found that people who have irritable bowel syndrome but who do not drink are more likely to have a family history of alcoholism or mental illness. “Our thinking is that there is a common gene that can manifest itself as irritable bowel syndrome, alcoholism or mental illness in a family member, so a person who chooses not to drink is more likely to have irritable bowel syndrome,” said Locke.

In the current study, a gastrointestinal symptom survey was mailed to residents in a single area who had been randomly selected and responded to a similar symptom survey in the past. Survey responses were used to identify people who had irritable bowel syndrome and healthy controls. Electronic medical records were reviewed to record the subjects’ self-reported personal and family health histories. A total of 2,457 people responded to the questionnaire. Irritable bowel syndrome was reported in 13 percent of respondents. In the analysis, this group had a mean age of 62 years and 70 percent were female in the IBS group, while the control group had a mean age of 61 years and 64 percent were female.

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by abdominal pain or cramping and changes in bowel function, including bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation. Up to one in five American adults has irritable bowel syndrome. The disorder accounts for more than 1 of every 10 doctor visits. For most people, signs and symptoms of irritable bowel disease are mild. Only a small percentage of affected people have severe signs and symptoms.