UEG Week study links early antibiotic use with higher IBS risks
Medical researchers presented clinical study findings at United European Gastroenterology Week demonstrating that cumulative childhood antibiotic prescriptions increase irritable bowel syndrome risks in young adults
A recent study presented at UEG Week 2026 at Barcelona, Spain, has found a link between early antibiotic use and an increased risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in individuals at age 24. Conducted on 2,853 participants from the Swedish BAMSE birth cohort, the research analyzed antibiotic prescriptions from 2005 to one year before IBS assessment at age 24.
The findings indicate that those who received antibiotics had 1.5 times the odds of IBS compared to those who did not, with the odds increasing with the number of antibiotic prescriptions. Specifically, participants receiving one to two prescriptions had 1.3 times the odds of IBS, rising to 1.6 times with three to five prescriptions and 1.7 times with six or more.
Tetracyclines and cephalosporins were found to be significantly associated with higher odds of IBS, with any use of tetracyclines increasing the odds by 1.4 times and three or more prescriptions of cephalosporins increasing the odds by 6.0 times. While the study does not explain the exact mechanisms behind this association, it suggests that alterations in the gut microbiome, which antibiotics can affect, may play a role.
Dr Jessica Sjölund, the lead author, emphasized the need for careful antibiotic prescribing, highlighting the importance of antibiotics in treating bacterial infections while also considering the potential long-term effects of repeated exposure.
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