Prevalence of Abdominal and Pelvic Surgeries in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Comparison Between Caucasian and African Americans

Based on responses to ROME II criteria questionnaire administered to community at large, IBS is not associated with greater prevalence of abdominal and pelvic surgeries. Caucasians are more likely to have these surgeries irrespective of whether they have IBS or not. Our study does not exclude the possibility that there may indeed be association between IBS and surgeries if only the IBS patients seeking health care are considered.