Association between Migraine and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Systematic Review

Mohammed Ahmed  Al-Anzi; Futayyim Ageel Alshammari; Ahmad Marzouq Alharbi; Duaa Mustafa Mohammed Abdulqader; Dana Ali Alobaidan; Fatima Adel Abdulaziz Bader  Abdulla; Hattan Rakan S Alotaibi; Safwan Abdulrahman S Alsaedi; Eman Adil Yousif  Ahmed; Mohammed Ahmad M.  Alsaidi

doi:10.54293/smhj.v5i3.166

Authors

Mohammed Ahmed Al-Anzi Consultant Family Medicine, Maternity and Children Hospital, Arar, KSA.
Futayyim Ageel Alshammari General Practitioner (General Medicine and Surgery), Kharkiv National Medical University, Rafha, KSA.
Ahmad Marzouq Alharbi General Practitioner (General Medicine and Surgery), Alashrafiah Primary Healthcare Center, Unaizah, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1821-0878
Duaa Mustafa Mohammed Abdulqader General Practitioner (MBBS), Taibah University, Madina, KSA.
Dana Ali Alobaidan Medical Student (General Medicine and Surgery), Ibn Sina College, Jeddah, KSA.
Fatima Adel Abdulaziz Bader Abdulla General Practitioner (General Medicine and Surgery), Mansoura University, Kingdom of Bahrain.
Hattan Rakan S Alotaibi Medical Intern – General Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Ibn Sina National College, Jeddah, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3468-4326
Safwan Abdulrahman S Alsaedi Medical Intern – General Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Ibn Sina National College, Jeddah, KSA.
Eman Adil Yousif Ahmed Medical Intern (Completed Internship and Passed SMLE), internship at King AbduAbdulaziz Hospital, MBBS from Omdurman Islamic University, Makkah, KSA. https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0965-4405
Mohammed Ahmad M. Alsaidi Medical Intern – General Medicine and Surgery (MBBS), Ibn Sina National College, Jeddah, KSA.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54293/smhj.v5i3.166

Keywords:

IBS, Migraine, Headaches, irritable bowel disease, gut health

Abstract

This study aims to assess the available evidence regarding the association between migraine and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A comprehensive search of four databases led to the discovery of 611 relevant publications. After eliminating duplicates and assessing each article for relevance, 301 full-text articles were examined, and ultimately, 7 studies were selected based on the inclusion criteria. Seven studies were included, with a total of 721,176 patients with migraine and 318,498 (44.2%) with comorbid gastrointestinal (GI) disorders (e.g., IBS, peptic ulcers). Across the included studies, IBS prevalence ranged from 2.7% to 87.7%, with higher rates found in studies using Rome IV criteria. Migraine was consistently associated with increased odds of having IBS. The association remained significant after adjusting for confounders. Mendelian randomization suggested a potential causal direction from IBS to migraine. There is strong evidence of a significant association between migraine and IBS. Clinicians should consider screening for both conditions in affected patients. Further research is needed to clarify causality and develop integrated treatment approaches.