Abstract

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome and elevated blood lead level share certain gastrointestinal symptoms. Objective: We measured blood lead levels in IBS patients, comparing them with IBS severity. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 324 patients with newly diagnosed IBS and 147 healthy subjects as control. All participants completed a questionnaire on their current gastrointestinal symptoms and a blood sample was taken so as to determine the blood lead level via atomic absorption spectrophotometer technique. Patients were subsequently assessed in terms of IBS severity. Findings: Mean blood lead level was significantly higher in the IBS group compared to the control group (7.5 ± 5.4 mcg/dL vs. 5.8 ± 3.4 mcg/dL, P = 0.001). Moreover, 59 of IBS patients and 44 of the healthy subjects had blood lead level > 5 mcg/dL (P = 0.004). Only 38 of patients with diarrhea alone versus 59–83 in the other groups had high blood lead levels (P < 0.001). Mean IBS-SSS was 241 ± 92.6 in IBS patients, who with elevated blood lead level had significantly higher grades compared to those with blood lead levels < 5 mcg/dL. Linear regression analysis indicated a positive correlation between blood lead level and severity of gastrointestinal manifestations measured by IBS-SSS (ß = 7.2; 95 CI: 5.5–8.9; P < 0.001). Conclusion: High blood lead level may be a concern in IBS patients, particularly in IBS-C and unclassified IBS groups and those with severe gastrointestinal manifestations. © 2019 Société Française de Toxicologie Analytique