Rome III survey of irritable bowel syndrome among ethnic Malays

Table 2 Comparison of prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome across populations in Malaysia and Singapore

Studies	Region	Sample size (n)	Diagnostic criteria	Population type	Reported prevalence of IBS
Tan et al[12]	Klang Valley, Central Peninsular Malaysia	533	Rome I	Multi-ethnic; young; medical students Malays 278 (52.2%), Chinese 179 (33.6%), Indian 48 (8.6%)	Overall 84 (15.8%); Malays 15.8%, Chinese 16.2%, Indian 15.2%
Rajendra et al[13]	North-western Peninsular Malaysia	949	Rome II	Multi-ethnic; mean age 33.6 yr; mixed urban and rural; Malays 314 (33.1%)	Overall 148 (15.5%); Malays 12.4%, Chinese 17.5%, Indians 16.8%
Current study	North-eastern Peninsular Malaysia	221	Rome III	Malays only; mean age 37.7 yr; mixed urban and rural	Malays 24/221 (10.9%)
Gwee et al[14]	Singapore	2276	Manning, Rome I, II	Multi-ethnic; mean age 40 yr; urban; Malays 263 (11.6%)	Overall: Manning 11%, Rome I 10.4%, Rome II 8.6%; Malays: Manning 9.9%, Rome I 10.3%, Rome II 6.8%

IBS: Irritable bowel syndrome.