Scientists at Tongji University School of Medicine (TUSM) have found that spending more time on a smartphone, tablet, computer or TV screen for entertainment is associated with a greater risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Research published in the journal scientific reports.
There is growing evidence that a sedentary lifestyle contributes to the development of chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. One of the most dangerous forms of inactivity is excessive screen time. It has previously been shown to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and tumors: and every additional two hours of TV viewing increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 1.07%.
However, the existence of a causal relationship between any factor (screen time) and the disease (IBS) cannot be proven by simple observation as too many variables affect the outcome. In the new study, the scientists applied the Mendelian method of randomization. To do this, they studied point mutations that allow people to spend more time in front of a screen. They then tried to find an association between these and mutations that increase the risk of IBS.
The scientists used data from 58,005 people with IBS and 615,624 people without IBS and analyzed more than 20 million mutations. Fun screen time was assessed using a questionnaire. Only persons of European descent were included in the statistical analysis to minimize the effect of nationality.
The 47 mutations associated with more screen time also increased the risk of developing IBS, meaning there is indeed a causal relationship between the disease and a sedentary lifestyle.
This study represents the first concrete, non-observational evidence linking sedentary behavior to IBS.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic disease characterized by abdominal cramps, pain, bloating, diarrhea or constipation, or both. Changes in bowel function associated with this disease are common in 10-20% of the world’s population. Genetics, infections, and chronic inflammation are thought to contribute to the development of IBS. The severity of symptoms depends on lifestyle and stress levels, and there is currently no definitively effective treatment for the condition, making it necessary to examine the cause-effect relationships of the disease.
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