The Relationship Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 49,662 Individuals.

Ahmed A Ghanem, Abdullah Nahedh, Nikhat Anjum, Anuj Subedi, Lamya Alzabidi, Raneem Attta, Laura Cicani, Adham Galal, Masako Lien Petty Le, Karam R Motawea, Yana Gordeyeva, Vinayak Mahesh Patil, Ahmed Soliman, Farah Alkasajy, Abdulla Aboushaira, Lucy L Nale, Samah S Rouzan, Jose J Loayza Pintado, Ahmed Abbas, Hossam Amin, Hani Aiash, Yusef Hazimeh, Tamer Mady, Yomna E Dean

Journal: Endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism 2025;8(2):e70041

PMID: 40126935

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown mixed results regarding the association between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and metabolic syndrome (MS); This study aimed to assess the susceptibility of IBS patients to MS and its individual components.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science were searched on 1/1/2023. Eligible studies were screened, and data on study characteristics, IBS diagnostic criteria, and metabolic syndrome components were extracted. Data were analysed in RevMan 5.4, with results reported as relative risk (RR) or mean difference (MD) and 95% confidence intervals. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

IBS was associated with an increased risk of MS (RR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.50-2.79, p < 0.00001), with a higher risk among IBS-D patients (RR = 3.09, 95% CI = 2.41-3.97, p < 0.00001). IBS patients showed increased HOMA-IR (MD = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.15-0.26, p < 0.00001), higher obesity risk (RR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.10-1.93, p = 0.009), elevated BMI (MD = 1.51, 95% CI = 0.98-2.03, p-value < 0.00001), waist circumference (MD = 5.01, 95% CI = 1.29-8.72, p = 0.008), and an association with systolic hypertension (MD = -0.50, 95% CI = -0.60 to -0.40, p-value < 0.00001). IBS was also linked to higher LDL (MD = 5.98, 95% CI = 0.91-11.05, p = 0.02), total cholesterol (MD = 12.21, 95% CI = 6.23-18.18, p < 0.0001), and triglycerides (MD = 11.93, 95% CI = 11.55-12.31, p < 0.00001).

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis indicates a potential association between IBS and metabolic syndrome, including its components such as obesity, hypertension, and lipid profile abnormalities. However, significant heterogeneity among studies limits the generalisability of these findings. Clinicians should remain aware of the possible link and consider individualised preventive and management strategies.

Address: Alexandria University, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria, Egypt.; University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, McAllen, USA.; Windsor University School of Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.; Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.; Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan.; Mansoura University, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura, Egypt.; Karnataka Institute of Medical Science, Hubli, India.; Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Ponzan, Poland.; International University of Health Sciences, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis.; Ain Shams University Faculty of Medicine, Cairo, Egypt.; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen.; Prithvi Narayan Community Hospital, Gorkha, Nepal.; Khaja Banda Nawaz Institute of Medical Sciences, Gulbarga, India.; International American University College of Medicine, Castries, Saint Lucia.; Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.; Ben Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.; SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York, USA.

DOI: 10.1002/edm2.70041

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Metabolic Syndrome, Risk Factors