Irritable bowel syndrome might be associated with dry eye disease

Ioannis Asproudis; Anthoula T. Tsoumani; Konstantinos H. Katsanos; Aristeidis H. Katsanos; Vasileios Theopistos; Konstantinos A. Paschidis; Epameinontas V. Tsianos; Dimitrios Christodoulou

Authors Ioannis Asproudis, Anthoula T. Tsoumani, Konstantinos H. Katsanos, Aristeidis H. Katsanos, Vasileios Theopistos, Konstantinos A. Paschidis, Epameinontas V. Tsianos, Dimitrios Christodoulou.

Abstract

Background A possible association between dry eye disease (DED) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been hypothesized based on the fact that they both share an inflammatory pathogenesis.

Methods Ninety-five patients with IBS and 276 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. All patients answered a questionnaire regarding DED symptoms and had a complete ophthalmic examination. DED signs were evaluated using Schirmer's 1 and tear break-up time (tBUT) tests in both groups.

Results Female IBS participants presented significantly lower Schirmer's test and tBUT (P=0.002 and P<0.001 respectively) than controls. Both diagnostic tests in male IBS patients were also significantly lower than in controls (P<0.001). 72% of IBS patients gave at least 3 positive answers to the questionnaire compared with 42% of the control group (P<0.01).

Conclusion Our results suggest a correlation between IBS and DED. DED symptoms can cause further complications in patients with IBS, and should be considered in their management. However, further research is needed to establish a possible pathophysiologic association.

Keywords Dry eye, irritable bowel syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Ann Gastroenterol 2016; 29 (4): 487-491