Psychometric scores and persistence of irritable bowel after Campylobacter concisus infection

Abstract Objective. Gastroenteritis with Campylobacter concisus is an emerging infection, but the risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) following it is unknown. Material and methods. In a prospective, community-based study of gastroenteritis with C. concisus and C. jejuni/coli, we invited adult patients to participate in a questionnaire study, including IBS symptoms and psychometric scores, at baseline and at 6 months. We estimated adjusted RR (RRadj) (for age, sex and comorbidity) for IBS as the primary outcome. Results. The development of IBS symptoms at 6 months was reported in 26/106 (25%) patients with C. concisus infection, and in 30/162 (19%) of C. jejuni/coli patients. The baseline predictors for IBS in C. concisus infection were high anxiety scores (RRadj 2.0; 95% CI 1.1–3.6, p < 0.05), chills (RRadj 1.9; 95% CI 1.0–3.6, p < 0.05), headache (RRadj 2.5; 95% CI 1.1–6.0, p < 0.05), dizziness (RRadj 2.6; 95% CI 1.2–5.8, p < 0.05) and muscle ache (RRadj 3.6; 95% CI 1.4–8.9, p < 0.01). For all Campylo...