Endoscopy 2005; 37 - A32
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-922894

The relationship between cytokine profile and gender, age, and subtype, in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

P Scully 1, S O'Brien 1, EM Quigley 1, PWN Keeling 2, TG Dinan 1
  • 1Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
  • 2Department of Gastroenterology, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

Aims: IBS is considered to be a multi-factorial disorder and it has been postulated that an abnormal pattern of cytokine expression may play a role in its onset. In this study we compared cytokine plasma levels in IBS patients with those of and age- and sex-matched controls.

Methods: 28 patients satisfying the Rome II diagnostic criteria for IBS were recruited along with age- and sex-matched controls. Bowel habit classification was determined and a symptom questionnaire completed. Plasma samples were obtained and levels of IL-4, IL-6, sIL-6R, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α were analysed.

Results: IBS patients had significantly increased levels of IL-6, sIL-6R, and IL-8 (P<0.001), and significantly decreased IL-4 (P<0.01) compared to controls. No significant changes were observed in cytokine profiles between IBS subtype, nor with gender. No significant correlation between cytokine level and age was observed. A significant positive correlation between abdominal pain and plasma levels of TNF-α r=0.43 p=0.02 was observed.

Conclusions: This study indicates that alterations in the cytokine profile may be involved in IBS. This cytokine profiling may potentially aid in the development of diagnostic criteria for IBS and thus help to avoid unnecessary and costly investigations.