Analysis of Risk Factors and Intervention Strategies for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder, with a global prevalence of approximately 10%–20% and a prevalence of about 6% in community populations in China. It is primarily characterized by recurrent abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits, significantly impacting patients' quality of life. The pathogenesis of IBS is complex, involving interactions among multiple factors such as genetic susceptibility, psychosocial factors, dietary influences, and disruptions in the gut microbiota. Currently, the effectiveness of drug treatment is limited, and non-drug interventions are receiving increasing attention. This article systematically reviews the main risk factors and intervention strategies of IBS, with a focus on analyzing the roles of diet, psychological state, and gut microbiota in the occurrence and development of the disease. The study found that a high Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Mon osaccharides and Polyols (FODMAP) diet, gluten sensitivity, psychological problems such as anxiety and depression, and gut microbiota imbalance all significantly affect IBS symptoms. Effective intervention measures include a low FODMAP diet, a gluten-free diet, cognitive behavioral therapy, etc., which can significantly relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. Emerging therapies such as Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) have shown promising potential in alleviating symptoms and emotional disturbances in patients with diarrhea-predominant (IBS-D), indicating that modulating the gut microbiome represents a crucial direction for future treatment. Individualized and multi-target comprehensive management will be the key to improving the prevention and treatment effect of IBS.