Does bacterial gastroenteritis predispose people to functional gastrointestinal disorders? A prospective, community-based, case-control study

Abstract

Symptoms consistent with IBS and functional diarrhea occur more frequently in people after bacterial gastroenteritis compared with controls, even after careful exclusion of people with pre-existing FGIDs. The frequency is similar at 3 and 6 months. Our findings support the existence of postinfectious IBS and give an accurate estimate of its frequency.