Mayo Clinic researchers have found evidence to suggest a common genetic link between irritable bowel syndrome, alcoholism and mental illness. The results of this study are being presented on Monday at the 69th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) in Orlando, Fla. In previous work, this research team found that IBS runs in families. Alcoholism and mental illness run in families as well. The team was interested in knowing if alcoholism and mental illness were more common in family members of people who have IBS. G. Richard Locke, M.D., senior author of the research and a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, says the findings point researchers closer to finding a specific therapy to help families who have these conditions. IBS is estimated to be present in 10 to 20 percent of the general population, according to the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders. MayoClinic.com reports that IBS typically begins around age 20. Overall, two to three times as many women as men have the condition.
