Gender differences in gastrointestinal, biopsychosocial and healthcare-seeking behaviors in Chinese patients with irritable bowel syndrome predominant with diarrhea

Evidences of comparison of sex difference in Chinese irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients were few. We aim to compare gender difference in the biopsychosocial characteristics of Chinese patients of IBS predominant with diarrhea (IBS-D). IBS-D patients meeting Rome III criteria were enrolled. We administered IBS symptom questionnaires, evaluation of psychological status (HAMD and HAMA scales) and IBS quality of life (IBS-QOL), dietary habits, healthcare seeking behaviors, and compared biopsychosocial characteristics between male and female patients. Four hundred and ninety patients were enrolled including 299 males and 191 females. More female patients reported abdominal pain associated with defecation (84.3