ACG

ACG 2024: Hormone replacement therapy linked to increased IBS risk in postmenopausal women

November 4, 2024

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) was associated with an increased risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in postmenopausal women, according to findings of this population-based cohort study. The study included post-menopausal women ≥50 years, both with and without prescriptions for HRT (estrogen and progesterone). Researchers used 1:1 propensity matching to create two equal groups, each consisting of 46,627 women.

HRT use was associated with:

• IBS diagnosis ≥30 days after prescription compared with those not on HRT (992 vs. 581; OR=1.75). That association persisted over 5 years (OR=1.88).
• New encounter diagnosis for IBS-D (OR=1.44), IBS-C (OR=2.27), and mixed IBS (OR=1.63).
• Increased GI symptoms, including increased abdominal distention (OR=1.44).
• More frequent colonoscopies (OR=2.08) and esophagogastroduodenoscopies (OR=1.21).

Source:

Khalil, J. (2024, October 28). Hormone replacement therapy is associated with increased risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome in post-menopausal women. Poster session presented at the American College of Gastroenterology. https://acgposters2024.eventscribe.net/fsPopup.asp?PosterID=687297&mode=posterInfo