Irritable bowel syndrome in Nigerians.

Twenty-six Nigerians with irritable bowel syndrome are reported. Twenty-three patients (88.46%) belong either to the middle or upper socioeconomic class; 16 patients (61.5%) had predominantly constipation. Six of the patients (23.1%) had their first symptoms before the age of 15 years. No sex preference is shown by this study. The most common symptoms are flatulence and abdominal pain, which is relieved by bowel motion, belching, and/or passage of flatus. Cow's milk, stress, and a local diet of beans are the most common aggravating factors, while another local high-fiber diet of cassava was found helpful in reducing the intensity and frequency of symptoms in some patients.