Eur J Intern Med. 2024 Mar 10:S0953-6205(24)00105-5.doi: 10.1016/j.ejim.2024.03.011. Online ahead of print.

Jerlin Stephy JohnBritto ¹, Agostino Di Ciaula ¹, Antonino Noto ¹, Velia Cassano ², Angela Sciacqua ², Mohamad Khalil ¹, Piero Portincasa ³, Leonilde Bonfrate ¹

Author information

¹Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Jonian Area (DiMePre-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.

²Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.

³Clinica Medica "A. Murri", Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Jonian Area (DiMePre-J), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy. Electronic address: piero.portincasa@uniba.it.

Abstract

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder involving the brain-gut interaction. IBS is characterized by persistent abdominal pain and changes in bowel habits. IBS exerts significant impacts on quality of life and imposes huge economic costs. Global epidemiological data reveal variations in IBS prevalence, both globally and between genders, necessitating comprehensive studies to uncover potential societal and cultural influences. While the exact pathophysiology of IBS remains incompletely understood, the mechanism involves a dysregulation of the brain-gut axis, leading to disturbed intestinal motility, local inflammation, altered intestinal permeability, visceral sensitivity, and gut microbiota composition. We reviewed several gender-related pathophysiological aspects of IBS pathophysiology, by focusing on gut dysbiosis and intestinal permeability. This perspective paves the way to personalized and multidimensional clinical management of individuals with IBS.